How close were the Lakers to getting DeMar DeRozan?

The Lakers and DeMar DeRozan were close to a deal last summer, but there was one sticking point that prevented it from happening.

The 2021-22 season has been an outright disaster for the Los Angeles Lakers, and a big reason has been poor roster construction.

Many seem to agree that, one way or another, trading for Russell Westbrook was a big mistake, and apparently the team plans to look to either trade or waive him this summer.

What makes the situation even worse is there were perhaps other options that would’ve turned out better.

The most discussed one was the proposed trade for sharpshooter Buddy Hield. But another option, less discussed, was star wing DeMar DeRozan.

DeRozan was not only interested in playing for the Purple and Gold, but he also thought it was a “done deal.”

Via Yahoo Sports:

“I felt like going to the Lakers was a done deal and that we were going to figure it out. I was going to come home,” DeRozan said in November. “The business side of things just didn’t work out. A couple of things didn’t align. It didn’t work out. It’s just part of the business, part of the game.”

Now comes the bombshell, via Chris Haynes, that the sticking point between DeRozan and the Lakers was as small as not offering him a third year on his proposed contract.

Of course, the Compton native signed with the Chicago Bulls and has been playing so well that he’s been discussed as an MVP candidate.

Oh, what could’ve been for a team that won the NBA world championship less than 18 months ago and perhaps would’ve repeated last year if not for key injuries.