DeMar DeRozan Rumors: How LA Lakers can sign the 4-time All-Star despite salary cap troubles

2. $9.5 million full mid-level exception

DeMar DeRozan #10 kneels on the court prior to the start of an NBA game.

Another option would be for the LA Lakers to offer DeMar DeRozan the full mid-level exception amounting to $9.5 million. However, this would also hard cap the Lakers just as the sign-and-trade option would.

It would be a much larger pay cut for DeMar DeRozan. It would also limit the LA Lakers’ spending power, even though they’re willing to pay the luxury tax to build a championship contender.

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The only way that the LA Lakers can sign him to the non-taxpayer’s mid-level exception is if Montrezl Harrell declines the second year of the mid-level exception deal he signed last season. If Harrell opts in, DeMar DeRozan can no longer sign with the Lakers under this salary option.

3. $5.9 million taxpayer's mid-level exception

Should Harrell opt in and exercise his player option at $9.7 million, the most that DeMar DeRozan can sign with the LA Lakers is $5.9 million, which is the taxpayer’s mid-level exception.

This is the most ideal scenario for the Lakers as it doesn’t hard cap them the entire season and allows them to retain some of their own free agents, including Alex Caruso and Talen Horton-Tucker.

That side-step @DeMar_DeRozan jumper = 💵 pic.twitter.com/KweizgkeUD

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 1, 2021

The only question is whether the 31-year-old California native can swallow the discounted rate, which also keeps him from re-signing with the LA Lakers next season at nothing more than 120 percent of his 2021-22 salary.

If DeMar DeRozan really wants to have the best opportunity to win a championship, play for his hometown and earn a little bit from the experience, this is the best and most feasible way for him to go about signing with the LA Lakers.

4. $1.5-2.6 million veteran’s minimum

Karl Malone #11 tries to keep control of a loose ball as Gary Payton #20 of the Lakers and Sam Cassell try to fend each other off.

It’s unlikely that DeMar DeRozan will sign for the veteran’s minimum, but if he does, he will be doing the LA Lakers a huge favor. Not only does he prevent the team from being hard capped, but he will also be setting an example for the other free agents who will be coming to L.A.

This gives vice president of basketball operations and GM Rob Pelinka more money to work with without financially strapping the LA Lakers for the next few years. A signing like this would be a similar move to Karl Malone signing with the Purple and Gold for $1.5 million during the 2003-04 season. Unfortunately, the all-time great got injured during the 2004 Finals and the Lakers fell to the Detroit Pistons in five games.

Would DeMar DeRozan agree to this deal? If Malone can do it, maybe he would as well. But don’t bank on it.

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