Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: Derrick Rose is garnering some interest from other teams, but could emerge as an option for the Lakers down the road.
Los Angeles Lakers rumors continue to pop up in free agency. The Lakers have looked at a number of free agents, but Los Angeles is sticking to their guns. They want players on only one-year deals to keep their future payroll open.
As a result, the Lakers have missed out on a number of free agents they were targeting. The backcourt has been where the Lakers are looking to add some talent. They went after both George Hill and Dion Waiters. They missed out on both, as Hill and Waiters both signed lucrative multi-year deals.
The free agent market is beginning to dry up for the Lakers. Most of the top backcourt options have signed elsewhere. The pickings are slim for the Lakers, but there are a few options remaining.
One option is Rajon Rondo. The Lakers and Rondo reportedly have a mutual interest in coming together on a deal. The Lakers have gone as far as to gather information on Rondo from former teammates and coaches.
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Nothing has come of the Rondo rumors yet, but another point guard the Lakers could look into is Derrick Rose.
Rose played last season with the New York Knicks. It was an up-and-down season for Rose. He went AWOL at one point and battled some injuries again. But, when he was on the court, he played relatively well.
Rose averaged 18.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. It was arguably his best season since he missed the whole 2012-13 season as he works his way back from multiple lower body injuries. He is someone that could fill the scoring void off the bench for the Lakers if they choose to go in that direction.
But, the Lakers could be missing out on Rose as well. Marc Berman of the New York Post reported that Rose was emerging as a serious contender with the Dallas Mavericks.
According to a source, Dallas Mavericks, who drafted Dennis Smith Jr., emerging as "serious contender'' for Derrick Rose.
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) July 6, 2017
As Berman notes, the Mavericks used a first round pick on point guard Dennis Smith Jr. If Rose wound up there, he would be in a mentor role; it is the same role Rose would play with the Lakers, who used the second overall pick on Lonzo Ball.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Rose was going to meet with the Los Angeles Clippers as well. They are probably out of the running after signing international point guard Milo Teodosic today.
Wojnarowski also reported that Rose had met with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks have reigning rookie of the year Malcolm Brogdon and Matthew Dellevedova, but Rose would give them a much-needed scoring punch at the point guard spot.
While the Lakers have not been linked to Rose at all, he could be someone they target later on in free agency. Rose’s market has been pretty quiet, which could work in the Lakers favor.
While Rose is more than likely looking for a long-term deal, there isn’t too much money left in free agency. The Lakers could take advantage of this if he has to settle for a one-year deal.
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With interest reportedly waning in Jamal Crawford, if he is bought out, the Lakers could be back in the market for a scoring guard. Rose could fit that role, but it would have to be on Los Angeles’ terms.