The Los Angeles Lakers are fifth in the Western Conference with eight wins from 12 games. Even without LeBron James, who has missed the opening months of the season due to sciatica, JJ Redick’s team looks like a genuine threat out West.
However, there is always room for improvement.
According to Rohan Brahmbhatt of ClutchPoints, the Lakers should consider making a move to acquire DeMar DeRozan. The veteran forward is reportedly available, as the Sacramento Kings continue to stutter out of the gates.
“It almost feels too perfect, but the Lakers are undeniably the most logical destination for DeMar DeRozan,” Brahmbhatt wrote. “He would instantly become the Lakers’ second-most reliable perimeter scorer, providing the exact shot-making they’ve lacked for three straight postseasons. His ability to steady non-LeBron minutes is invaluable, and he could lead second units the way DeRozan once did in Chicago and Toronto.”
DeRozan, 36, joined the Kings ahead of the 2024-25 season. He played in 77 games during his debut season in Northern California, averaging 22.2 points, 4.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds. His versatile scoring profile would give the Lakers a new dimension on offense, especially as DeRozan is also a reliable playmaker on the wing, too.
The Lakers Would Become Top-Heavy With DeRozan
The problem with any move for DeRozan is that it would cost the Lakers some of their depth. The veteran forward will earn $24.7 million this season. Therefore, Rob Pelinka would likely need to package multiple players (and potentially draft picks) to lure Scott Perry to the negotiating table.
That means, Redick would have a top-heavy roster built around Luka Doncic, LeBron and Austin Reaves. On paper, that would be ideal. However, teams need reliable depth to be contenders in the modern NBA, especially once the postseason begins.
As such, it’s hard to envision a deal taking place unless it was a one-for-one exchange with future picks anchoring the negotiations.
Adding DeRozan Would Be Counterproductive
Pelinka spent this summer helping the Lakers get younger. Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia were both low-cost additions, but could cement themselves as part of the Lakers’ future if they prove to be good fits next to Doncic.
That’s why a move for DeRozan would make little sense. He’s a player you add when building around LeBron. Both forwards are nearing the ends of their careers. Sure, DeRozan could help the Lakers contend for a year or two, but his presence would do little in terms of developing a team to help Doncic thrive in the post-LeBron era.
The Lakers would be better served by standing pat until a younger, longer-term investment becomes available. The aim should be to maximize Doncic’s tenure with the franchise, rather than continually making short-sighted roster decisions in the hope of lucking your way into the title race.
For the past two or three years, the Lakers have been smart in the trade market. They’ve made moves when necessary, rather than for the sake of it. Trading for DeRozan would be a regression by the front office. So, as good as it may look on paper, it’s hard to envision the Lakers changing strategy to add an aging forward who struggled to make an impact at his previous two stops.
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