DeMar DeRozan (Photo : Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers will be a "very likely" candidate to sign Toronto Raptors All-Star DeMar Derozan this summer, according to the latest NBA rumors.
With the NBA's new TV deal set to kick in next season, DeRozanis expected to opt out of his four-year $38 million contract with the Raptors and explore free agency in the summer for a more lucrative deal.
DeRozan, who is posting career-high averages this season with 23.6 points and 4.0 assists, is projected to draw interests from several NBA teams, including the Lakers, who are in dire need of a superstar to follow the footsteps of Kobe Bryant.
According to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report, the Lakers are in the pole position to sign DeRozan come free agency, with the USC product having been a fan of the team and idolizes the Black Mamba.
"DeMar DeRozan is a very, very likely candidate for the Lakers," Ding said.
"He's from L.A., he's gonna be a free agent. He loves Kobe. He grew up idolizing Kobe. So, when you start to look at the options, guys that aren't afraid to follow in Kobe's footsteps, DeRozan is not [afraid]. He would be a great add."
While Kevin Durant will surely be atop the team's list of free agent targets, Derozan is not that far behind and could be the "most realistic option for Los Angeles among the stars available," according to Ryan Ward of Lakers Nation.
DeRozan has proven this season he is deserving to be a superstar and his value could only get higher if the Raptors reach deep in the playoffs this year.
However, the Lakers signing top free agents like DeRozan could be in limbo after D'Angelo Russell's inappropriate video recording of a private conversation with Nick Young.
According to Baxter Holms and Marc Stein of ESPN, there are now trust issues between Russell and some of the players in the Lakers roster after the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 draft privately taped a private talks with Young.
"Sources told ESPN.com that trust in Russell from some teammates is eroding after a video surfaced in the past week that shows the 20-year-old former Ohio State standout and No. 2 overall pick from the 2015 draft recording a private conversation between Russell and teammate Nick Young in which Young does not appear to realize he's being taped," the report disclosed.
"At a recent breakfast meeting, one source said, no Laker would sit with Russell at his table. The source added that, in another instance, Russell came into the locker room and sat next to guard Lou Williams, who got up and walked away."
It is hard to think of any justification to what Russell did, and it may ultimately cost the Lakers signing veteran free agents this summer. Moreover, LA may even lose their own free agents who would not want to share a locker room with Russell.
Lakers' focus should be in bolstering their lineup in the offseason, but Russell's immaturity may have given the franchise a lot more to think about than pursuing the likes of DeRozan.
