The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a solid start to the season. As things stand before Friday’s match against the New Orleans Pelicans, the team sits with an 8-4 record and is in the thick of things in the loaded Western Conference.
All that being said, the Lakers are far from being a healthy bunch, as they are still without LeBron James. Even so, they appear to be an elite squad.
However, while that is the case, it is clear the Lakers are a notch below the elite of the elite, like the Oklahoma City Thunder, who blew them out on Wednesday. The Lakers are a move away from being able to compete with the best of the best, and the expectation is they will do so before the trade deadline.
One name the Lakers have been tied to, and NBA insider Rohan Brahmbhatt believes LA should pursue, is six-time All-Star and Los Angeles native DeMar DeRozan.
Brahmbhatt believes that the Lakers are ‘undeniably the most logical destination for DeMar.’
“They have tried the playmaking wing experiment with DeRozan for years, repeatedly flirting with acquiring him but never closing the deal. Now, with LeBron James still defying time at 40 and Luka Doncic in need of a reliable third scoring option, the Lakers need someone who can give them 15-20 points without requiring LeBron's and Reaves’creation.
“DeRozan does exactly that.
“He would instantly become the Lakers' second-most reliable perimeter scorer, providing the exact shot-making they'velacked 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 has been linked to the Lakers for some time. While a hometown reunion would be nice for the All-Star guard, it may not be a move the Lakers should make.
The main issue for the Lakers is their athleticism on the wing, especially in the frontcourt. If the Lakers can acquire a player like that, they should be, at worst, right in the mix for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
While DeRozan still has some gas left in the tank, the Lakers don’t need a player like him on their roster.
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