Derrick Rose
Probably the most difficult route in order to find the point guard they want, but ultimately, Derrick Rose might be the best option for the purple and gold.
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Roses career to date is what Hollywood movies are made of. Drafted 1st overall in the NBA draft, the youngest MVP in league history, one of the future and current faces of the league at the time and in one devastating moment his career was altered forever.
An injury that started a chain reaction of further injuries robbed Rose of the best years of his career. A player who could have redefined the point guard position relegated to bench roles and 1-year contracts from teams who signed Rose in hope that he gained back any of his pre-injury abilities.
And then, just like that, Derrick (Rose) like Lazarus and began to play basketball at a high level again. Let’s get this straight, he will never be MVP Derrick Rose again, that ship has sailed, but he has the ability to have a solid career going forward and the ability is there for him to have an All-Star caliber season once more.
So why should the Lakers target Derrick Rose while he is still under contract with the Detroit Pistons?
He is by far the best player on the list. Still capable of averaging 20ppg, capable of being the play-maker for a team, the lights will never be too bright for Rose as he has been there and done that, and after all that he has been through injury-wise, you are going to get a grateful player each and every night on the floor who is going to fight for his fairytale ending.
So, how much will Derrick Rose cost the Lakers?
The Detroit Pistons are in rebuilding mode. They traded franchise Center Andre Drummond, they will more than likely look to move Blake Griffin (if possible) and with Derrick Rose, they might just look to offload him for draft capital, something the Lakers don’t have. Or do they?
The Lakers will have their pick this year available to them. With Rose on a team-friendly contract, it might cost the Lakers a hefty price to land him. They could also potentially offer a deal that would not include the 1st round pick but might cost them two of their most valuable assets.
A package of Derrick Rose for Alex Caruso, Talen Horton-Tucker, Quinn Cook and a two future 2nd round picks could potentially be enough to get a deal done.
The Lakers could potentially part with their 1st rounder instead of the two 2nd rounders but keeping assets like the 1st round pick and Kyle Kuzma could be important in other potential future deals.
The Lakers get Rose on a team-friendly deal, the Pistons get a prospect in Horton-Tucker, a borderline starter in Alex Caruso, a buyout candidate in Cook and future prospects.
With Rose finally on the come up after years of injuries, he could potentially force a trade out of Detroit in order to maximize his chances of winning elsewhere as Detroit is clearly in complete rebuild mode.
It might not be the best deal for Rose but with his contract expiring and the Pistons in rebuild there is a chance that the deal could get done.
Rose could start for the Lakers but would not automatically be expected to. They could tailor his minutes to his needs and have him on the floor when LeBron is off the floor in order to maximize a play-maker on the floor at all times.
If Rose can continue to play at the level he has this season, the Lakers will be getting a valuable piece that could help bring a Championship back to Staples.