Freshly off an NBA Title, the Los Angeles Lakers have been rumored in many trade headlines.
Originally, the Lakers were seeking free agent big man Danilo Gallinari.
Then, they were rumored to be in the market for Bradley Beal and Chris Paul.
The newest, is Detroit Pistons PG, Derrick Rose.
The Lakers have many questions surrounding their team next season.
Do they trade Kyle Kuzma?
How do they handle their free agency?
What veteran minimums can they bring in?
What will they do about their back court?
Rose Deal To Los Angeles Lakers “More Likely Now”
As of right now, the only two point guards the Lakers have under contract are Quinn Cook and Alex Caruso.
Sean Deveney of heavy.com, reports that a deal between the Lakers and Rose is more likely now than it was in February.
One league GM told me a potential Lakers-Pistons deal for Derrick Rose, which never got off the ground last year, makes a lot more sense with Detroit going into full rebuild and the Lakers eager to bulk up a now-depleted backcourt.
For @HeavySan:https://t.co/2OwAWevJDY— Sean Deveney (@SeanDeveney) October 18, 2020
In the article, Deveney quotes a general manager who discusses the potentiality of this trade occurring:
“I don’t think the Lakers wanted to make a major move because they thought they could do something on the buyout market. And I don’t think the Pistons wanted to make a major move because Derrick was happy there. You know, the Lakers wanted to be involved in case the Clippers got involved or someone else, the Bucks or the Nuggets, whoever. So there was interest but not too serious. Now, they’re both in a position to where a deal is much more likely now.”
What remains to be seen is what the Lakers would be willing to give up in a potential trade for Rose.
The Pistons appear to be in a rebuild, so I imagine, the Lakers could get him at a cheap price.
Remember, the Pistons traded away Drummond to the Cavaliers for pennies.
Rose Is A Great Fit For This Lakers Team
Throughout the duration of the regular season, LeBron James spent a lot of minutes at the point guard spot and throughout the playoffs, Rajon Rondo gave the Lakers huge minutes at the point guard position.
Source: Knicks will pursue free agent to be and NBA champion Rajon Rondo when free agency begins.
— Ross 🏀 (@LegionHoopsRoss) October 15, 2020
With Rondo pursuing the FA market, Rose makes a lot of sense for this Lakers team.
Derrick Rose is currently under contract for two more seasons, making about $7.6 million.
It would make sense for the Lakers to trade for him instead of bringing in someone like Chris Paul or Bradley Beal, whose salary exceeds $30 million.
By bringing in Rose on a cheap contract, not only are you acquiring an athletic guard that can score, but you are now setting yourself up in a better position to go about free agency.
Maybe the Lakers would be able to retain a guy like Dwight Howard and sign a Danilo Gallinari.
Derrick Rose to the Lakers makes a lot of sense for both parties.
NEXT: JaVale McGee Sells LA Home As FA Approaches, Sparks Speculation