Six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan revealed that he strongly considered joining the Los Angeles Lakers during his recent free agency decision.
Speaking on Podcast P with Paul George, DeRozan mentioned that the Lakers, along with several other teams, were high on his list of potential destinations.
“Philly definitely was an option. Lakers was an option always. Clippers was an option. And the Heat was an option,” DeRozan said, reflecting on his thought process during free agency.
“Those teams, for sure, were real personal, legitimate options that I was considering,” he added.
DeRozan’s interest in the Lakers was well known, as rumors had linked the star forward to the franchise multiple times over the years.
However, despite his interest, DeRozan ultimately chose a different path this summer.
On July 8, 2024, he was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade deal that also involved the San Antonio Spurs and the Chicago Bulls.
As part of the deal, Chris Duarte, RaiQuan Gray, and draft considerations were sent to Chicago, while Harrison Barnes was traded to San Antonio.
The trade marked a significant shift in DeRozan’s career, sending him to Sacramento, a team looking to make a deep playoff run in the upcoming season.
DeRozan’s move to the Kings adds another veteran presence to an already strong roster that includes De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
