The 2024 free agency isn’t going well for the LA Lakers. Notably, the franchise expressed interest in multiple names, but none reciprocated. One such name is DeMar DeRozan, who reportedly signed a 3-year, $73.7 million deal with Sacramento as a part of a three-team sign-and-trade with the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs. As per the deal, the Sacramento Kings landed DeRozan, the Bulls received Chris Duarte, two second-round picks, and cash considerations, and the Spurs landed Harrison Barnes and an unprotected 2031 pick swap.

Amid all this, ex-NBA star Gilbert Arenas has shown his displeasure at DeRozan signing with the Kings. Appearing on Gil’s Arena podcast, he questioned why the 6x All-Star signs with weak cities like the Kings and Spurs. He even went to the extent of calling Sacramento trash. The fact that Deebo did not want to come to his hometown, LA, seems crazy to Arenas.

Gil feels DeRozan wanted close to a $75 million deal, but the Lakers only had $60 million. It could have been a different story if the franchise had $15 million more. Notably, even LeBron James wanted the Lakers to land an impact player, for which he was willing to take a pay cut with his new deal, but the king closed that window with his maximum contract after the franchise failed to land players like Thompson.

However, Arenas’ co-host Brandon Jennings is doubtful if DeRozan would’ve joined the Lakers even if the team had the budget. “You think it would be good for him to go there on the tail end of his career… It’s a circus over here,” he said on the podcast. Notably, the Lakers have been going through a lot recently. This includes controversy around hiring a head coach with no experience, controversy around drafting Bronny James, and the team looking to upgrade their point guard from Russell Westbrook but failing so far.

Amid such circumstances, Jennings questioned why the Lakers should have gone for DeRozan. “Cause we need that player. We need the clutch guy at the end of the game. Last five minutes to hit those buckets. A mid-range guy,” Arenas replied.

However, this sparked a debate about LeBron already being that guy. Jennings and Rashad McCants hilariously brought up Bron’s no-look 3-point shooting move. Well, the king may top the list of most winning shots, but the reality is that the Lakers need some key pieces in the free agency trade.

Lakers never made an offer to DeMar DeRozan: Shams Charania

While the Lakers have been desperate for at least one valuable trade in this free agency, as it turns out, they just had “simple interest” in DeRozan, according to the NBA insider Shams Charania. In his last season, the ex-Bulls star averaged 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. This stat line includes 48.0 percent free throw shooting and 33.3 percent 3-point shooting.

However, the most important aspect of the 34-year-old is his clutch plays. In his last two seasons, DeRozan has landed among the top 5 players in the Clutch Player of the Year race. But as per Charania’s report, the Lakers never went beyond expressing simple interest in DeRozan.

As a result, the 6x All-Star now has landed with the Kings — a team that defeated the Lakers in both face-offs in the last season. And with another valuable addition, they will be even stronger moving ahead. However, the Lakers still have some options in 2024 free agency.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.