The Lakers are awaiting their opportunity to make a defining move during the offseason. A major help from LeBron James has further aided their search for a game-changing component. The King is willing to take a $20 million pay cut when it comes to making a place for an exclusive group of players. DeMar DeRozan, the reported next favorite, has been sharing the headlines with Klay Thompson, who sidelined the Purple and Gold for the Dallas Mavericks.

The prospect of him pairing up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis sounds sublime. However, according to Jovan Buha, the Lakers are better off losing parts of their core and trading for a young Jerami Grant than utilizing their $13 million exception on DeRozan. He just feels Deebo isn’t an ideal fit. “Not a good three-point shooter, he’s not a volume three-point shooter and he would have to make some serious changes to his offensive game to fit around LeBron James and Anthony Davis”.

“And then defensively, DeMar DeRozan is a small forward. He’s no longer a shooting guard. You’re likely going to have to put him on some bigger wings and he is not a good defender,” Buha explained. The Athletic reporter claims DeRozan would be a “weak spot” defensively, an area Grant is sound at with his length and athleticism. “Looking at a Jerami Grant versus DeMar DeRozan, who do I think is a better player? DeMar DeRozan. Who do I think will help the Lakers more? Jerami Grant”.

“I think Jerami Grant is better operating off the ball because he was a role player before breaking out in Detroit as a go-to guy on a lottery team. He’s a 4o% three-point shooter the last two seasons, and he’s still an above-average defender,” said Buha on his YouTube channel.

Grant is still 30. The Portland Trail Blazers’ ace had a sensational season averaging 21 points in 54 games. Moreover, he is a more natural fitting forward with his build and size. In terms of defense, DeRozan has become less active on the ball and reserves his zeal for primarily scoring. However, last season, he averaged 4 blocks per game in comparison to Grant’s 1 block.

The problem with signing Jerami Grant

Grant would check many boxes that DeRozan doesn’t. “I think they need guys who shoot the ball well, can operate off the ball, and play defense and DeMar DeRozan does not check those boxes at a high enough level,” Buha relayed about the Bulls forward.

However, the advantage of having DeRozan is multifold. Even though at the twilight of his career, DeRozan has been a flourishing NBA guard in the last few seasons with the Chicago Bulls. His clutch shot-making has become a tale of legends, making him one of the most feared opponents in that realm. Additionally, there is the aspect of a homecoming for the veteran guard. The feeling of playing at home always brings with it an elevated desire and passion, something DeRozan has expressed before.

More than being a 24-point scorer last season, there is a chance the Lakers can acquire him at a $13 million salary. This means there would be no need to shake up the roster or move any other pieces since they can avail of the mid-level exception provided James takes the pay cut. In Jerami Grant’s case, while he is a more appealing prospect, his $160 million deal with the Trail Blazers pays him close to $30 million for the coming season.

Acquiring him would entail the Lakers losing pivotal players, such as D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, the only volume shooters left on the team. If they go for Grant, it would have to be by subtracting their existing weaponary.

Moreover, the Purple and Gold might even have to exhaust their draft capital. From that angle, it seems simpler and more beneficial to sign DeRozan rather than backing their future on Grant’s decorated skillset.

Before leaving, be sure to check out some insights that Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, shared about the Lakers legend’s infamous feud with the late Kobe Bryant.