Just how different would the Los Angeles Lakers' season be with DeMar DeRozan instead of Russell Westbrook? With DeRozan turning into the Chicago Bulls' best player and Westbrook's future in LA looking more muddle by the day, it's safe to say fans would take a re-do if they could do it the other way.

The latest report from ESPN lays out the Lakers' thought process when it came to making their choice of their big fish transaction. The names widely reported were Westbrook, DeRozan, and Buddy Hield, with LA facing a temporary roadblock for the current Bulls star that forced them to look elsewhere.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5A53alv7I8uub6EBQYFFXZ?si=f96577c8eb7147c2

Via ESPN:

According to sources close to the situation, DeRozan met with LeBron James and Anthony Davis at James' house in Brentwood multiple times, and there was initial interest in constructing a sign-and-trade with San Antonio that would have likely involved Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma and a draft pick. But because DeRozan was a free agent, the Lakers had to wait to act on that scenario. In the interim, talks with the Sacramento Kings for Hield and the Washington Wizards for Westbrook heated up before the NBA draft on July 29.

But while the staggered negotiations played a part in the move that ultimately chose to make, it was still the influence of the Lakers' two big stars that moved the needle. LeBron James and Anthony Davis both met with Westbrook as well, and a deal was eventually consummated between them before actually being orchestrated by their respective front offices.

While timing factored into the choice of Westbrook or Hield (both available via trade before free agency) over DeRozan, sources close to the situation insist that James and Davis' enthusiasm for Westbrook were what moved the process in that direction.

That enthusiasm has undoubtedly waned since then. The Lakers were seen by many as legitimate title contenders before the season began. But LeBron James and Anthony Davis are probably wishing they broke bread with DeMar DeRozan instead one last time.