DeMar DeRozan has been enjoying a fantastic year with the Chicago Bulls. Paired alongside Zach LaVine, DeRozan is earning consideration as an All-Star Game starter. Although no one thought it at the time, he was perhaps the very best offseason addition. The Los Angeles Lakers could have stolen DeRozan away from the Bulls, though.
DeRozan himself thought he was bound for LA, his home city, but the Lakers went another direction. They traded for Russell Westbrook — which now looks like a very ill-advised move, even if LeBron James and Anthony Davis pushed for it — allowing the Bulls to execute a sign-and-trade with the San Antonio Spurs to get DeRozan.
In an interview with Bleacher Report's Taylor Rooks, DeRozan explained that he would not have taken a large pay cut to play with the Lakers, though he still was looking to play with Los Angeles before he joined Chicago. He mentioned playing for his hometown and playing alongside James made it an appealing option.
Demar Derozan tells me he was willing to take a pay cut to play for the Lakers.
“It was a realistic option.”
FULL: https://t.co/40oUt95S6l pic.twitter.com/BBKCpBygE3
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) January 27, 2022
Due to several Chicago injuries, the Bulls are no longer the hottest team in the NBA. Still, they are the second seed in the Eastern Conference. DeRozan is averaging a team-leading 26.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. Zach LaVine is having a strong year the Bulls still have an impressive, albeit injured, supporting cast.
Although he would have been motivated to perform well for his city, DeRozan may not have flourished with the Lakers. The team's dysfunction has made a team full of talent look like they don't belong in the playoffs. Los Angeles acquiring DeRozan before Chicago might go down as a huge “what if?” scenario in NBA history.
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