Definitely, the biggest of the Bulls rumors to play out last offseason for this front office involved nabbing star shooting guard/forward DeMar DeRozan from the San Antonio Spurs in a big-time sign-and-trade deal. There were a number of big-time additions last offseason for the Bulls thanks to the efforts of executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley.
Yet, there are hindsight reports that feel like they’re appearing left and right concerning other potential landing spots for DeRozan last offseason. And a report from Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports this week indicates that DeRozan actually thought that his landing spot last offseason would be the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would return to his hometown.
The idea was certainly there that the Lakers could go out and acquire DeRozan. But the move that apparently really shot that idea down was the Lakers forming that blockbuster trade with the Washington Wizards for veteran star point guard Russell Westbrook. That trade was a huge deal that also saw many other big names on the move.
Bulls rumors playing out to land DeMar DeRozan in Chicago has worked out for both sides
That trade also saw the movement of big-time players like point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, big man Montrezl Harrell, forward Kyle Kuzma, and shooting guard/small forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Yet, this was good for the Bulls that the Lakers didn’t make the move to trade for/sign DeRozan from the Spurs. DeRozan is likely the Bulls’ most valuable player out of the gates this season. And he’s playing much more efficient basketball than Russ is for the Lakers.
DeRozan proved that value to the Bulls and Lakers when the two teams met earlier in the week at the Staples Center. In this commanding double-digit win for the Bulls over the Lakers on the night of Nov. 15, DeRozan registered a season and game-high 38 points, three rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block.
That efficient night for DeRozan against the Lakers earlier this week also saw him shoot a solid 15-of-23 from the field, 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe.
Following the Nov. 15 win for the Bulls over the Lakers on the road at the Staples Center, Chicago owns a record of 10-4. Next up for DeRozan and the Bulls on this Western Conference road trip is a meeting with the Portland Trail Blazers on the night of Nov. 17.