5 Blockbuster Trade Ideas For DeMar DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan is set to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason
Many NBA scouts think the Chicago Bulls should trade DeRozan and Zach LaVine and rebuild
The Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat could use DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan is in the final year of his contract with the Chicago Bulls and one NBA insider thinks the small forward could become a trade candidate as the 2023-24 season progresses.
Brian Windhorst of ESPN believes several teams could try to trade for DeRozan if the USC product and the Bulls don’t agree to an extension or Chicago struggles like it did last season.
“One guy to keep an eye on for everybody — the whole league — this year is DeMar DeRozan,” Windhorst said on First Take. “If he doesn’t extend with the Bulls, I think he becomes a trade target as the season goes along.”
The Bulls missed the playoffs last season and are off to another slow start in 2023-24. Most people around the NBA believe Chicago will eventually decide to rebuild and trade DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic since the current roster isn’t good enough to compete.
With that said, here are five blockbuster trade ideas for DeRozan, who remains a terrific scorer.
The Los Angeles Lakers Bring DeMar DeRozan Home
Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: DeMar DeRozan
Chicago Bulls Receive: Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, 2025 second-round pick
DeMar DeRozan took part in meetings at LeBron James’ house in the summer of 2021. DeRozan thought he would sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, but things changed after Los Angeles acquired Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards.
After the Lakers traded for Westbrook, DeRozan signed a three-year, $85 million contract with the Bulls as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the San Antonio Spurs.
DeRozan told Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports in November 2021 that he “felt like going to the Lakers was a done deal” in the summer of 2021.DeRozan has a close relationship with LeBron and Anthony Davis. He was born and raised in California and grew up rooting for the Lakers.
Los Angeles should do whatever it takes to acquire DeRozan if the Bulls make the former Toronto Raptors star available in trade talks.
The Lakers could start D’Angelo Russell, DeRozan, Jarred Vanderbilt, LeBron, and Davis if Los Angeles’ front office figured out a way to acquire DeRozan from Chicago.
