Lakers Must Act Quickly to Sign DeMar DeRozan After Missing Out on Klay Thompson
The NBA summer has taken a dramatic turn, with Klay Thompson’s signing with the Dallas Mavericks causing a ripple effect throughout the league. For the Los Angeles Lakers, this development presents a new opportunity to secure a marquee free agent.
Negotiations between the Lakers and DeMar DeRozan, one of the biggest free agents still available, are already underway. DeRozan, who averaged 24 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in 79 games with the Chicago Bulls last season, is an attractive option for the Lakers. According to Chris Haynes of Turner Sports, "The Lakers need to get creative, cut some players, and lighten their spending bills to be able to get DeMar there." The Lakers missed out on Thompson and must now pivot to secure DeRozan.
DeRozan is a versatile scorer who could help alleviate some of the offensive responsibility from LeBron James and Anthony Davis. With Thompson out of the picture, DeRozan would be the biggest free agent still available, and the Lakers must act quickly to secure his services.
LeBron Will Take a Pay Cut to Make Room for DeRozan
Despite the Lakers’ failure to sign Thompson, LeBron James is still committed to the franchise. However, he is willing to take a pay cut to make room for DeRozan. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that James would consider forgoing a significant portion of his salary to help the Lakers sign DeRozan.
Rich Paul, James’s agent, confirmed this sentiment, stating that LeBron prioritizes improving the roster. Paul also emphasized that James has been adamant about the need for the Lakers to bring in more stars, and he is willing to make concessions to achieve this goal.
Conclusion
The Lakers’ failure to sign Thompson has presented a new opportunity to sign DeMar DeRozan, who is one of the biggest free agents still available. With DeRozan’s versatility and James’s willingness to take a pay cut, this signing could be a game-changer for the Lakers. The team must act quickly, though, as other suitors may emerge for DeRozan’s services.