Insider confirms theorized Lakers trade is more than just a theory
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers have been at the center of trade rumors for months after a wildly disappointing 2021-22 season. It seemed inevitable that the team would trade Russell Westbrook but the rumors never turned into reality and Westbrook has now carved out a nice role as the team’s sixth man.
The Lakers still need to improve the team and they are reportedly looking to do so with a different approach. While Westbrook is the big name, Los Angeles still has several different trade options if they do decide to go down a different path.
The Westbrook trade theories have not slowed down, though, and an interesting one hit the NBA world this week thanks to Bill Simmons. When discussing how he would fix the Chicago Bulls, Simmons suggested blowing it up and committing to tanking for Victor Wembanyama. As part of his proposal, Simmons theorized that the Bulls could trade DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic for Westbrook and two firsts (one of which with protections).
The trade made its way through NBA circles but it was still nothing more than a suggestion. That was until ESPN’s Zach Lowe added fuel to the fire on his podcast, ‘The Lowe Post‘.
"“The trade I saw on Twitter was Russ and both picks, one with light protection on it I think, for DeRozan and Vucevic. I can tell you 100% for sure that the Lakers have had internal discussions about that very possibility if it were to ever come up. Not that they would do it, just so I’m clear […] but both picks for the Bulls guys is certainly something that their brain trust has thought about otherwise they would be irresponsible.”"
Lowe continues to explain why the Bulls may potentially make a trade like this with the Lakers, with the team underperforming this season.
Would the Lakers actually take this deal from the Chicago Bulls?
When this theorized trade was first brought up it seemed like an instant yes. Heck, I am on the record on this website saying how good of a trade it would be for the Lakers if it were to happen, especially if the team was able to protect one of the two future first-round picks that they are trading.
It absolutely would make the Lakers a better basketball team. Even though Russ is playing well as the sixth man right now, being able to swap him for DeRozan and Vucevic would be a win and would make the team better.
But would it be enough to turn the Lakers into a contender? Probably not. And that circles back to the same problem that has clouded this entire Westbrook situation all along. Los Angeles (rightfully) does not want to part ways with two extremely valuable picks if they are not going to be contenders because of it.
Ask yourself this: how much better is this trade than a Buddy Hield/Myles Turner package? DeRozan is a better all-around player than Hield with his overall scoring and playmaking ability, but he would only add to the floor-spacing problem that LA has. DeRozan cannot shoot, which would create similar problems as simply having Westbrook.
Vucevic really hasn’t been anything spectacular this season and while he is the bigger name, Turner would be a far better fit in LA than Vucevic would because of his defensive ability and better shooting presence.
So if the Lakers have pretty much made it clear to this point that they aren’t going to trade two picks to Indiana, why would they trade them to Chicago for this package?
Add in the fact that DeRozan is making $28.6 million next season and this seems like a trade that Jeanie Buss herself would scoff at.