Many fans likely expected the Los Angeles Lakers to chase a third star to partner with LeBron James and Anthony Davis this offseason.
James and Davis were also hoping L.A. would go “all-in for another elite player,” according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick.
It’s looking less likely by the day that the Lakers will actually assemble another “big three” this season, though. Their best chance of doing so likely passed when Klay Thompson opted to join the Dallas Mavericks.
Thompson made his decision on Tuesday. A day later, James, who declined his player option for the 2024-25 season, re-signed with the Lakers on a new two-year, $104 million deal. That contract, as written, threatens to put L.A. over the dreaded second luxury-tax apron.
It could also mean Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office have abandoned the idea of adding another elite player.
“They’re not involved in any deals that certainly would land them a third star,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski told SportsCenter (h/t Evan Sidery of Forbes). “They’re seeing the landscape of this league, and that the three-star model, with this salary cap, doesn’t work.”
According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, L.A. has turned its attention to Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan, who could sign anywhere as a free agent or work out a sign-and-trade with Chicago this offseason. However, the Lakers will reportedly have competition.
“They’ve now turned their attention to DeMar DeRozan, though the Miami Heat are currently viewed as slight favorites to land the 15-year veteran and six-time All-Star, according to league sources,” Buha wrote.
DeRozan, while still a quality player at 34, may not quite fit the “three-star model” that the Lakers are reportedly looking to avoid. At this point, though, Los Angeles should end its pursuit of him and examine other options.
James’ contract plays a factor here, as does Miami’s interest.
if the Lakers remain over the second apron, they won’t have access to the full mid-level exception. Unless DeRozan is willing to play on a veteran-minimum deal, he’s not signing with L.A. as a free agent.
There’s still a chance James and agent Rich Paul will agree to a lesser deal that will keep the Lakers below the second apron, according to Wojnarowski. However, competing with Miami would still be a major problem.
Acquiring DeRozan would most likely require the Lakers overpaying, tearing down their roster depth or both. The reality is that he isn’t worth the cost.
Offensively, DeRozan could aid the Lakers. He’s a ball-dominant player and a strong mid-range threat. That would play into J.J. Reddick’s reported plan of using James in more of an off-the-ball role. However, he wouldn’t fill L.A.’s need for three-point shooting or provide much on the defensive end.
In other words, he is far from the elite player James and Davis were hoping to get, and he isn’t going to make L.A. an instant contender in the West. Set to turn 35 in August, DeRozan probably wouldn’t provide much value beyond the next season or two, either.
It would behoove L.A. to stop spending time and energy on DeRozan. And according to Anthony Irwin of Lakers Daily, the team is considering other options:
“Sources say the Lakers have held trade talks with the Portland Trail Blazers about Jerami Grant, the Brooklyn Nets about Cameron Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith, the Toronto Raptors about Bruce Brown and the Washington Wizards about Kyle Kuzma—as well as other teams and other trade targets.”
Players like Grant, Johnson and Kuzma may not generate headlines quite like DeRozan, a six-time All-Star, but they would all fit with the Lakers’ roster in one way or another.
As younger players, they could also make a lot more sense for a franchise looking to win now while also preparing for the future.