Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz put together a mock trade between the Bulls and Lakers, which had DeMar DeRozan returning to his hometown of Los Angeles. DeMar DeRozan is extension eligible with a deal worth up to $155 million over four years.
It's unclear where the Bulls' front office stands right now regarding offering him a long-term deal as he turns 34 before the start of next season. If he does not fit in their long-term plans, it would be a good idea to look to trade him while his value is almost at an all-time high. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls are currently calling teams to discuss potential trades for DeRozan.
Bleacher Report's Trade Idea:
Bulls Trade: DeMar DeRozan
Lakers Trade: D'Angelo Russell, Mo Bamba, Max Christie, 2029 unprotected 1st-round pick
The Lakers were coming fresh off a Western Conference Finals appearance and were outplayed by the reigning champions Denver Nuggets. They could use DeRozan's scoring ability to help bring the team to the next level. After all the years LeBron James kept DeRozan from winning a championship during his days in Toronto, he could finally team up with his rival and attempt to win his first ring with the Lakers.
The Bulls would primarily be focused on D'Angelo Russell as a Lonzo Ball replacement, assuming they would be signing him to a reasonable contract. Russell isn't a 'rebuild point guard' at 27. If the Bulls decide to rebuild, they could always flip him like the Golden State Warriors once did, which landed them Andrew Wiggins. The gem of this trade would be the 2029 unprotected pick. It's hard to imagine the Lakers falling to rock bottom and staying there long enough since they are arguably the most attractive franchise to play for in the NBA. However, that pick can carry a lot of weight as a trade asset in the future.
It's not the best return for DeRozan. The Bulls have an aging 'star' whose style of basketball feels outdated and isn't part of a winning recipe in today's game. They shouldn't think twice about it if they could get a few young pieces and a pick in return.
