Lakers Should End DeMar DeRozan Pursuit after LeBron Contract amid NBA Trade Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers were probably anticipated by many fans to pursue a third star this offseason to join LeBron James and Anthony Davis. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, James and Davis were also hopeful that L.A. would go “all-in for another elite player.” But the likelihood that the Lakers will truly put together another “big three” this season is dwindling by the day. When Klay Thompson decided to sign with the Dallas Mavericks, their best opportunity to do so most certainly evaporated.

On Tuesday, Thompson made his choice. One day later, James re-signed with the Lakers for a new two-year, $104 million contract after declining his player option for the 2024–25 campaign. The wording of that deal puts L.A. in danger of going over the dreaded second luxury tax threshold. It might also indicate that the Lakers front staff and Rob Pelinka have given up on the notion of bringing in another star player.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, “they’re not involved in any deals that would certainly land them a third star” (h/t Forbes’ Evan Sidery). “They’re seeing the landscape of this league, and that the three-star model, with this salary cap, doesn’t work.” Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports that Los Angeles has focused on Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan, who has the option to sign a free agent contract anywhere or arrange a sign-and-trade with Chicago this offseason. The Lakers will apparently face competition, though.

It might also indicate that the Lakers front staff and Rob Pelinka have given up on the notion of bringing in another star player. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, “they’re not involved in any deals that would certainly land them a third star” (h/t Forbes’ Evan Sidery). “They’re seeing the landscape of this league, and that the three-star model, with this salary cap, doesn’t work.”