Lakers Surprisingly Had Little Interest in All-Star Forward

With the Los Angeles Lakers missing out on Klay Thompson, among other free agents, fans thought that the team should try and get Compton native DeMar DeRozan to LA, to create a big three with him, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Adding DeMar DeRozan would’ve been perfect as James and Davis would have had another 20-plus point per game scorer, who could create his own shot. However, the Lakers failed to get the All-Star forward as he went to the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade on Saturday night.

And to make matters worse for Lakers fans, the latest reporting suggested that the team didn’t have much interest in the 35-year-old forward, which is surprising, given their struggles to find talent in free agency.

Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Expressed ‘Simple’ Interest in DeMar DeRozan

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Monday that the DeRozan sweepstakes came down to the Kings and Chicago Bulls as the Lakers only expressed ‘simple interest’ despite toying with the idea of DeRozan wearing the purple and gold over the last couple of offseasons.

“The Lakers never went beyond expressing just simple interest in DeRozan. There were no offers or tangible conversations with the Bulls on a sign-and-trade deal.”

Seeing what DeRozan went for in the sign-and-trade between the Bulls, Kings, and Spurs, the Lakers could’ve floated D’Angelo Russell or Rui Hachimura out there to see what teams would take him.

But that’s neither here nor there as the Lakers continue to drop the ball on making substantial upgrades to the roster. Before LeBron James signed his new two-year deal, there was a small chance the Lakers could’ve gotten a quality free agent with the mid-level exception.

However, that changes with James signing a two-year, $101.35 million contract. The Lakers will have to target guys open to taking a veteran minimum for a team that might not be one of the best five or six squads in the Western Conference.

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