The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly more interested in DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso than Zach LaVine as trade buzz intensifies.
THE Chicago Bulls are about to blow it all up amid their terrible start to the season. And while Zach LaVine remains the focal point of any potential business, there is no lack of interest DeMar DeRozan And Alex Caruso, Also. In fact, the the Los Angeles Lakerswho have been strongly linked in LaVine, are would apparently be more interested to DeMar and Caruso.
Via Jovan Buha of The Athletic (H/T The Volume Sports):
“I actually heard they were more interested in DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso. AC, he’s the one who got away, Lakers fans, it still bothers them, within the organization, it’s still a very divisive subject. And then DeMar is someone the Lakers have been courting for several years now. Both of these guys have more manageable contracts. Alex has a partially guaranteed contract for next season, DeMar has an expiring contract, he’s coming in and he’s the best shooter the team doesn’t really have outside of when LeBron’s jumper falls. Next up is Alex Caruso, one of the best point of attack defenders and we’ve seen the type of success he’s had alongside LeBron and AD in a Lakers jersey.
Buha made sure to mention that Los Angeles is also eyeing LaVine a lot, but based on financials and fit alone, the other two make a lot more sense. Caruso is someone who made a name for himself in the Purple and Gold and of course, Lakers fans cherish him. It’s a shame he left in the first place, but there seems to be a real possibility that the front office will do what they can to bring him back.
DeRozan, meanwhile, was ready to join the Lakers before the sign-and-trade with the Bulls, but Los Angeles chose Russell Westbrook instead. We know how it happened. The Compton native is a mid-range wizard and would certainly thrive as a shooter.
LaVine is only in the second year of a five-year, $215 million contract. That’s a lot of money for the Lakers. Sure, the Bulls would love to keep DeRozan and Caruso, but they could get some nice young pieces and get some capital in return if the franchise decides to rebuild.
