Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking rumored trade targets by impact
By Jason Reed
2. DeMar DeRozan
The results of trading for DeMar DeRozan is essentially the exact same as Bradley Beal. DeRozan is an elite scorer that does not need to play on-ball and would thrive alongside two distributors in Ball and James.
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However, what makes DeRozan a better fit is the simple fact that he is the better player. Trading for Bradley Beal would be like buying the medium-sized combo at a fast food place. It is more than enough to fill you up and give you what you need. However, you can always pay a little bit more for that extra something in a large-sized combo.
DeRozan is the large-sized combo. He is a better player than Beal but is going to cost more for the Lakers to acquire.
I think the Lakers can start with the baseline Ingram, Hart and Deng package and simply throw other trade assets in the mix.
Perhaps that is two unprotected first-round picks and a pick swap in year three, essentially giving the Raptors three draft picks. Throw in rookie shooting guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, who is an absolute sharpshooter, and the two sides may have a deal.
Of course, this only happens if the Toronto Raptors are even willing to part ways with DeRozan. The Eastern Conference is wide open without LeBron James and the Raptors may be looking to improve this offseason, not start a rebuild.
However, if the Raptors are struggling by the trade deadline or have any doubts prior to the season then the front office should give the Los Angeles Lakers a call.