Los Angeles Lakers eyeing DeMar DeRozan in trade with Chicago Bulls
The Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers are hoping to land All-Star small forward DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls in a trade.
The locker room differences that divided the team last season have spilled over into this season. The Bulls only won five of their first 18 games this season. They suffered a four-game losing streak and fell to 13th place in the Eastern Conference.
The lowest-scoring Bulls are averaging just 106.7 points per game, ranking third in the NBA this season.
The 34-year-old DeRozan is averaging 21.5 points, 4.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game this season. He also shot 36.6 percent from three.
Three Bulls starters, DeRozan, guard Zach LaVine and center Nikola Vucevic, have been the subject of trade rumors since the start of the season. All signs point to multiple trades for DeRozan and Vucevic once their contracts expire.
The latest trade rumors indicate that the Lakers will send a package including guard D'Angelo Russell, forward Rui Hachimura and a 2029 first-round pick to the Bulls in exchange for De Rozan.
LaVine, the Bulls' leading scorer, could fetch a decent return on the open market. The Lakers, 76ers and Miami Heat are all potential suitors for LaVine.
DeRozan almost joined the Lakers twice
DeRozan played nine seasons with the Toronto Raptors before being traded to the San Antonio Spurs in 2018 for Kawhi Leonard. In the 2018-19 season, the Raptors won the NBA championship under the leadership of Leonard, while DeRozan was exiled to San Antonio.
The Bulls acquired DeRozan in a sign-and-trade in 2021. He wants to stay in Chicago and is seeking a contract extension, but negotiations with the Bulls are progressing slowly.
"People have to make the decision that they feel is appropriate," DeRozan said of the recent trade rumors. "Maybe you agree with them, maybe you don't. But that's part of being in this game."
DeRozan grew up in Los Angeles and played college basketball at the University of Southern California. He believes he can fulfill his lifelong dream and play for his hometown Lakers in 2021. The Lakers originally wanted to sign DeRozan with the Spurs through a sign-and-trade, but negotiations failed and DeRozan eventually switched to the Bulls.
I think it's a done deal," DeRozan said."In my opinion, it's the only option I have. "
The Lakers went a different route and acquired point guard Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards, which was disastrous.
The Lakers were interested in trading Westbrook for DeRozan before last season's trade deadline. However, the Lakers' offer was too high, and DeRozan stayed in Chicago.
Lakers enter the knockout rounds
The Lakers (18-8) currently sit ninth in the Western Conference standings. They advanced to the in-season group stage with a 4-0 score and advanced to the quarterfinals as the winner of Western Conference Group A. The Lakers' chances of winning the in-season tournament are +500.
If LeBron James and Anthony Davis are sidelined with injuries, the Lakers need a third playmaker who can shoulder the scoring load.
Lakers head coach Davin Hamm said James, who turns 39 at the end of December, will reduce his playing time early in the season to stay healthy for the playoffs. However, that has not been the case, as James is averaging 33 minutes per game, second on the team, while the Lakers have struggled to win games.
The Lakers are the favorite to win the championship every year. But the odds of winning are only +1700.
The defending champion Denver Nuggets are the favorite to win the Western Conference title for the second straight season at +225 odds. The Lakers are ranked fourth at +900 odds. They were defeated by the Nuggets in the conference finals of last season's playoffs.
The Phoenix Suns (11-6) are the favorite to win the Pacific Division at +120, followed by the Golden State Warriors (8-9) at +380 and the Sacramento Kings (9-6) at +380 The rate is +425, the Lakers are +550, and the Los Angeles Clippers (7-9) are +800.
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Source: www.casino.org
