Lakers Rumors: DeMar DeRozan on Free Agency Radar If He Opts Out
The Lakers will have interest in Raptors wing DeMar DeRozan if he opts out of his deal in 2016 free agency
The Los Angeles Lakers will have ample room under the salary cap in 2016 NBA free agency partially because of the contracts that will be coming off of the books for L.A. and partially because of the $20-plus million spike in the salary cap. The question that remains is what players they will target in free agency.
Kevin Durant is the obvious target that comes to mind, but there is another wing that could potentially hit the market that the Lakers are rumored to have their eyes on: Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan.
DeRozan has a player option after this season on his deal with Toronto and, according to recent reports, is leaning towards opting out according to a report from Yahoo! Sports. As stated by Ryan Wolfstat of the Toronto Sun discussing the subject, the Lakers would have major interest in acquiring DeRozan in free agency if he does indeed opt out.
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The Yahoo! report also indicates that DeRozan would be looking for a max contract if the plan for him to opt out stays in place. While that’s obviously a pretty penny to pay, the Lakers will have more than enough room under the salary cap to make that kind of signing this offseason.
Moreover, the potential for mutual interest between the Lakers and DeRozan is evident considering that the current Raptors guard was born in Compton, CA and played his college ball for the USC Trojans. Still, he has strong ties to the Toronto organization, so the Lakers would have to do more to sell him than simply telling him to come home.
Regardless, the picture of 2016 free agency for the Lakers seems to be taking shape more and more with each passing week of the season. With the cap room, the rumors of who the organization will pursue, and the need for improvement on the Lakers roster, it’s going to be a wild ride.
H/T to Lakers Nation