Lakers' Free Agency Nightmare Continues With Likely Snub From Star Target
By Cem Yolbulan
The Los Angeles Lakers have been desperately trying to improve the roster to give LeBron James and Anthony Davis a more competitive roster for next season. However, they have been failing so far as they haven't made any free agency signings. As the best free agents on the market sign elsewhere one by one, Lakers fans are starting to panic.
The best remaining free agent right now is DeMar DeRozan, who spent the last couple of seasons with the Chicago Bulls. The Lakers have long been considered the frontrunners to sign the Los Angeles native but according to the latest reporting, that may no longer be the case. Jovan Buha of The Athletic identified the Miami Heat as "slight favorites" to land the 34-year-old.
"They've now turned their attention to DeMar DeRozan, though the Miami Heat are currently viewed as slight favorites to land the 15-year veteran and six-time All-Star, according to league sources."
- Jovan Buha, The Athletic
This would be a total disaster for the Lakers. DeRozan is the only remaining All-Star caliber player on the market. At this stage of his career, he is obviously not the player he once was. But he is reliable, consistent, and productive. Even though his fit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis may be questionable due to his lack of shooting, he would immediately become the second-best offensive player on the team.
DeRozan would be a massive talent upgrade for the Lakers and take a ton of offensive burden off LeBron for the regular season. Missing out on him would mean that the Lakers would have to rely entirely on the trade market to make upgrades to the roster.
This would further highlight the lack of competence GM Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office have shown so far. After failing to acquire Klay Thompson or another high-level free agent who LeBron James would take a pay cut for, the Lakers are running out of time to make a splash this offseason. Otherwise, a difficult challenge awaits JJ Redick in his first year.
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