Lakers Interested In DeMar DeRozan

07/01/2024 08:10 AM

When names emerged as possible targets for the Los Angeles Lakers with their midlevel exception that LeBron James would be amenable to giving up money for, they were James Harden, Klay Thompson and Jonas Valanciunas. Harden and Valanciunas reached agreement with other teams shortly after the start of free agency.

There are reportedly other names on the list, including DeMar DeRozan.

"I think there's more than three," said Brian Windhorst on the Hoop Collective Podcast. "I think DeMar DeRozan is on that list as well. And there may be another one or so."

Currently, James would have to take approximately $25 million less than his contract in order to get the Lakers in position to offer the midlevel. The Lakers would need to unload salary to make it a more realistic possibility.

"The Lakers are under some level of pressure to make a separate deal to clear some more space," added Windhorst. "That most likely would involve D'Angelo Russell. It could involve a player like Gabe Vincent. It could involve a player like Rui Hachimure. But probably is Russell because he is on the final year of his contract for almost $19 million. And that's basically, kind of, what the Mavericks have already done. The Mavericks have already done their cash dump. The Lakers haven't yet. I wouldn't rule it out, but I'm not sure..."

The future of DeRozan with the Chicago Bulls is unclear entering free agency as the franchise signals a pivot toward a rebuild. At the end of the season, it was reported that the Bulls offered DeRozan a two-year, $80 million extension. DeRozan turned it down with his eye on a longer contract. DeRozan is represented by Aaron Goodwin.