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The LA Lakers have been linked with the Chicago Bulls, especially if the latter starts rebuilding due to their poor start to the season. The latest rumors have pointed to the possibility of DeMar DeRozan finally playing for the Lakers.
According to Jonathan Adams of Heavy Sports, the Lakers are now the favorites to land DeRozan. Adams cited the latest odds, with the Lakers having +200 odds of getting the five-time All-Star. The Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies were also named as potential destinations for the Bulls star.
DeRozan is averaging 25.9 poins, 5.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists this season. However, the Bulls have been poor and are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference standings with a 13-18 record.
Before signing with the Chicago Bulls in the 2021 offseason, DeMar DeRozan was close to joining the LA Lakers. The San Antonio Spurs tried to work out a sign-and-trade deal and DeRozan even met with LeBron James a couple of times, per Sporting News.
However, when Russell Westbrook became available, the Lakers decided to ditch DeRozan for the former MVP. It didn't pan out for the Lakers last season, while DeRozan flourished into an MVP candidate for the Bulls.
The latest rumors suggest that Chicago might go into rebuilding mode if they fail to make any progress before the Feb. 9 deadline. The Bulls have a host of interesting players such as DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine, who could attract the interest of many teams.
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Zach LaVine wants to be traded to the LA Lakers
DeMar DeRozan is not the only Chicago Bulls player who has been linked to the LA Lakers. An anonymous executive told Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports that Zach LaVine wants to get traded to the Lakers. The exec pointed out LaVine's roots in UCLA, as well as being represented by Klutch Sports.
"LaVine wants to go to the Lakers, that has been pretty clear for a while now," the executive said. "The agents want him to be in Los Angeles. He is a UCLA guy and they did some rattling about his contract last offseason. To kind of lay the groundwork if things blew up, which they seem to be doing."
Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic recently reported a rift between LaVine and the Bulls. There was a locker room incident where a few of his teammates were unhappy with LaVine's defense.
The two-time All-Star is in the first year of the five-year, $215 million max deal he signed with the Bulls last summer. It seems like it would take a lot for the Lakers to acquire someone like LaVine.
Guess the Lakers players!
