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Lakers Interested In DeMar DeRozan

By Keith Rivas

Dec 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) listens to assistant coach Rex Kalamian against the Los Angeles Lakers at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Lakers 102-93. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) listens to assistant coach Rex Kalamian against the Los Angeles Lakers at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Lakers 102-93. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Lakers could be picking up another member of the Toronto Raptors if DeMar DeRozan does decide to leave next season.

Per a CBS report, the Lakers are starting to show serious interest and intentions revolving around current Toronto Raptors player DeMar DeRozan.

DeRozan has made it clear that he will in fact opt out of his contract over the summer, with the reason being the room for a much bigger paycheck with the cap room expanding.

Can’t blame him, really, but it must hurt if you’re a Toronto fan knowing that one of your best players is going to bounce no matter how good the team does this season.

But hey, that’s why basketball is a business — and it’s ever important to remember that.

This isn’t the first time that the Lakers have sought after a Raptors player, as getting Lou Williams was a much-needed pick up for Los Angeles from Toronto that’s done well in his new role.

So good, in fact, that he recently dropped a career-high 44 points at Staples Center.

The Lakers wouldn’t make money a factor in grabbing DeRozan, as they’re doing all they can to find new success as soon as possible.

DeRozan’s annoucement also comes with opportune timing, as Kobe Bryant will not be on the floor next season due to his retirement at the end of this year.

Should the Lakers take DeRozan, they’ll be taking his productive efforts, too.

DeRozan is averaging 22 points, four assists, and four rebounds per contest.

Not to mention that DeRozan hails from Compton and went to college at the University of Southern California.

So, really, he wouldn’t feel too out of place with the Lakers at all.

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    • The home town appeal might be just what the Lakers need to lure DeRozan in from free agency.

    We saw just how much it was able to sway one of the game’s best in LeBron James, as he decided to head back to Cleveland at the beginning of last season.

    What’s even better for both sides is that if they add DeRozan, the Lakers could become an immediate threat in the West, even though it’d definitely be as one of the lower seeds.

    By then, D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle will have had the remained of the 2015-16 season, along with an entire summer of practice and scrimmages, to get on the same page.

    DeRozan would bring some experience and would also bring the championship mindset to town.

    Next: Clippers Extend Winning Streak Against Hornets

    He didn’t have any luck with the Raptors, so he’d undoubtedly want to make the most of a chance with Los Angeles.

    And we’d welcome him with open arms.

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