“That’s a Game Changer”: Former NBA Player Highlights How Lakers Can Elongate LeBron James’ Stay

For most NBA teams, they win a championship and then bite the dust for upcoming seasons. But when the team has a legacy as iconic as that of the Lakers, winning again is the only option. Hence, LeBron James’ side will be under tremendous pressure to repeat their 2020 success.

The approaching season will be tougher in all aspects. The Western Conference especially will be packed with serious challengers with the healthy Warriors and the Suns (if they get Chris Paul). So it is the demand of the hour that the Lakers’ dual power now turns into a triple-attack with DeMar.

How can DeMar DeRozan help LeBron James’ back-to-back title hopes?

The 4-time NBA Champion will be 36-YO just a week into the next season. Lakers will certainly hope that he does not play all 72 games and also average close to 40 minutes of play-time. That will be too much to take for his aging body, that will already be longing for rest once he shows up in December.

As former NBA coach Sam Mitchell put it in an interview, “If the Lakers can get DeMar DeRozan, man, that’s a game-changer. As another couple of years for LeBron to play in LA. Because you don’t have to play LeBron 39-40 minutes a game now, if you bring DeMar DeRozan. Because AD and DeMar DeRozan can win games for you most nights.”

31-YO Air Diesel is someone who can go unassisted and still comfortably score points in double figures. He perfectly utilizes his wingspan of 6’9” to shoot over defenders. His pull-up jumpers, step backs, and overall strength are key aspects the Lakers would be interested in.

Why is it very difficult for the Lakers to sign him?

The Spurs’ head coach can prove to be an obstacle. Gregg Popovich has had a history where either stopped or vocally condemned many of the Lakers’ bigger trades. Be it the trade of Pau Gasol to the Lakers in 2008 or the recent signing of Anthony Davis, Gregg has never been keen on helping the Lakers strengthen. He did not even back a Kawhi Leonard trade to the team in the past. So, what are the chances he will help the DeMar trade? 

The Lakers have 11 free agents this time, and they’d eye the All-star DeRozan to solidify their core. The French Assassinator has a $27.7 million player option this season, which he might or might not exercise this season. It all depends on what the Lakers can put on the table.