Lakers Unlikely to Pursue DeMar DeRozan After Kings Release, Sources Say
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The Los Angeles Lakers are not expected to enter the race for veteran guard DeMar DeRozan following his release from the Sacramento Kings, multiple league sources told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on Monday.
DeRozan, a Southern California native, had previously engaged in talks with the Lakers in 2021. Despite Los Angeles’ remaining roster spots and need for wing depth on minimum contracts, team officials do not view the 34-year-old as a fit for their current plans, according to the report.
Skill set does not match Lakers’ needs
The Lakers are searching for a large wing who can defend at a high level and stretch the floor—qualities DeRozan has not prominently displayed during his career. Last season with Sacramento, he averaged 18.4 points and 4.1 assists over 77 games but shot only 32 percent from three-point range, close to his 30.2 percent career mark. He is also not regarded as a primary perimeter stopper.
With offensive options such as Luka Doncic already in place, the front office is prioritizing true “3-and-D” players. Salary-cap limitations further narrow the pool to minimum-salary candidates, making a DeRozan pursuit unlikely.
Hachimura sign-and-trade briefly discussed
In a separate offseason move, forward Rui Hachimura departed for the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year contract. Before the agreement, the Lakers and Clippers explored a possible sign-and-trade involving Hachimura but were unable to reach terms.
Los Angeles continues to survey the market for defensive-minded wings to round out the roster before training camp.
Source: Lakers Nation
