Los Angeles Lakers fans, you might want to sit down for this next news story.
More than a year ago, LA made a huge trade for Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards.
The thought was that Westbrook would take some of the pressure off LeBron James, improve the team’s offense, and become the third part of the team’s big three.
We all know that didn’t work out as planned.
Before Westbrook came to LA, there were rumors that the team was looking to acquire DeMar DeRozan, then with the San Antonio Spurs.
Many people were surprised that the Lakers didn’t make that deal happen.
DeRozan was one of them.
Demar DeRozan explains how he thought he was going to be a Laker last summer. 🫢
(🎥: @OldManAndThree)pic.twitter.com/5YbS5Qg7dD
— theScore (@theScore) September 29, 2022
Speaking with J.J. Redick‘s “The Old Man & The Three” podcast, DeRozan opened up about the time when he was possibly moving to the Lakers.
DeRozan said that he “thought it was a done deal” and was shocked when he heard the news that LA made a move on Westbrook instead.
DeRozan made it clear that he wanted to come to LA and had actually put other offers to the side as he was intent on coming to the Lakers.
Following this aborted trade, he moved to the Chicago Bulls, where he had one of the best seasons of his career.
Deciding Against DeRozan
DeRozan’s Bulls have their own fair share of problems and fell apart towards the end of the season but there is no doubt that DeRozan was in fine form during 2021-22.
Westbrook, on the other hand, was not.
While many LA fans are upset that the Lakers went for Westbrook instead of DeRozan, it must be remembered that the Lakers’ rejection of DeRozan was one of the reasons why he was so great.
He felt dejected and burned by LA and it made him fight and play even harder.
Still, Lakers fans will always wonder what could have been.
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