Last summer, coming off a first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Phoenix Suns, the Los Angeles Lakers knew they needed to reload and improve.
One of the options they considered was DeMar DeRozan, the talented star wing who, at the time, played for the San Antonio Spurs.
The Lakers reportedly had interest in the 6-foot-6, 220-pound veteran who can play multiple positions, handle the ball, score, set up teammates and play defense.
But, ultimately, they passed on him and traded for Russell Westbrook, perhaps because LeBron James vouched strongly for the latter.
For his part, DeRozan thought he was L.A. bound.
“To my knowledge, I thought it was a done deal.” DeMar DeRozan really thought he was going to be a Laker.
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“To my knowledge, it was a done deal,” said DeRozan. “I remember I took a trip to Mexico just to get away because I could just feel the anticipation of everything coming to play. So I was like, ‘I’m going away for a couple of days, take my mind off it, and by the time I come home, it’s be free agency, hey – signing with the Lakers.’ I’m asleep one morning in Mexico, I get a call from Kyle Lowry, and he said, ‘They just made the trade for Russ (Westbrook). What’s going on? I thought the deal was done for you to go to the Lakers.’ And I was like – I’m confused. I’m looking at my phone like, damn, that did happen. I guess that’s out the window. … In my mind, that was the only option for me to go to, like I was sold on that. Done deal. I didn’t even entertain anything else, because I’m letting this situation work itself out. So when I seen the trade happen, I knew it was no way for me to go to the Lakers at this point.”
Most agree that trading for Westbrook was a mistake, if not a disaster. On the other hand, getting DeRozan could’ve opened up many opportunities for Los Angeles, not only last season but also beyond that.
As it turned out, he had a career year for the Chicago Bulls, averaging 27.9 points on 50.4% shooting, 5.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game while earning his fifth All-Star nod.
Long a poor outside shooter, he even improved his 3-point shooting accuracy to 35.2%.
