DeMar DeRozan To Lakers Rumors Intensify After Josh Giddey Trade

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to upgrade the roster ahead of next season.

One of the bigger names set to become available to teams this summer is DeMar DeRozan. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, nobody knows what the 34-year-old will do next.

“One of the loudest questions bouncing around the league at the minute is thus: Will DeRozan be more available in free agency than expected now once the marketplace officially opens on June 30 at 6 PM ET?” NBA insider March Stein wrote in his newsletter. “Likewise: Will DeRozan even want to return to the Bulls?”

There were some murmurs in recent weeks that DeRozan might want to return to Chicago, but given the Bulls’ recent Alex Caruso-for-Josh Giddey swap, that is all up in the air now. That move reeks of a rebuild – and that doesn’t seem to be something DeRozan is interested in.

Over the past few months DeRozan has been linked to the Lakers on numerous occasions. There was even talk of him taking a hometown discount to return.

During an appearance on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back, DeRozan said he would “never say no” to a possible team-up with the Lakers.

Would @DeMar_DeRozan ever consider playing for the #Lakers?

“You can’t never say no about playing home…Time will tell, we’ll see where the cards fall.” pic.twitter.com/IXnamokK64

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 15, 2024

If DeRozan did opt to join the Lakers, it would be on a $5.2 million midlevel deal. That would be quite the pay cut for him – but again it is something he hasn’t scoffed at before.

One way or another, it will be interesting to see what DeRozan decides to do this summer. At age 34, he has one – maybe two – contracts left before retirement. Where will he end this offseason when the dust finally settles? Time will tell.

Charles Kruger

Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the Sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.