Lakers Rumors: Anyone that will take a $22 million pay cut in this economy just to play for the Lakers!
It seems that the Lakers and DeRozan has flirted with joining forces a couple of times in the past. In 2016, the team tried to use their huge cap space to bring DeRozan, but he decided to remain with the Toronto Raptors on a max deal.
Then, last year, the team was reportedly interested in trading Kyle Kuzma and Danny Green for DeRozan, before ultimately opting to deal Green in exchange for…Dennis Schroder.
Let’s assume that recent reports that indicate Harrell is opting in to his contract is true. Where does that leave the Lakers and DeMar?
The Lake Show would have one mid-level exception to offer. Turner mentioned that DeRozan would be willing to take a pay cut to play for the Lakers, but does anyone believe that any NBA player these days will go from making $27.7 million to $5.9 million? In this economy? At the back end of his career?
Now this not to say that it can’t happen. Remember Karl Malone and Gary Payton took huge pay cuts to make a championship run back in 2004. Both were gone by season’s end.
The Lakers can renounce some of their own free agents to clear cap room, but that would mean losing good players, something that Rob Pelinka probably won’t do for DeRozan at this point of his career.
The NBA free agency doesn’t start until Aug. 2, so there is still plenty of time to see what moves Rob Pelinka will be able to pull off this summer. Pelinka is known to swing for the fence while balling on a budget. If he wants these players, it will take a lot of furniture moving to get them.