The Lakers Will Reportedly Be Targeting Derrick Rose This Offseason

Before teaming up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in South Beach, LeBron James originally entertained the idea of teaming up with Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose in Windy City. As reported, LeBron placed a phone call to Rose shortly after the Cavaliers were eliminated in the 2010 NBA Playoffs.

As we all know, LeBron then ended up going a different path, but would eventually become teammates with Derrick Rose after all in 2017. Unfortunately, granted that Rose was already plagued by injuries, his Cavaliers tenure didn’t last long as he was traded to the Utah Jazz prior to the trade deadline.

Rose, who has since had somewhat of a renaissance in these past two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons, has become a valuable point guard again. The former MVP’s name is coming up in various rumors for the next season, one of which being a reunion with LeBron James in Los Angeles. Rose was a rumored target of the Lakers last year already, but eventually stayed in Detroit.

One NBA general manager now was quoted comparing last year’s off-season to this year’s and revealed that a Rose to Lakers deal is much more likely now.

Per Heavy.com:

“I don’t think the Lakers wanted to make a major move because they thought they could do something on the buyout market. And I don’t think the Pistons wanted to make a major move because Derrick was happy there. You know, the Lakers wanted to be involved in case the Clippers got involved or someone else, the Bucks or the Nuggets, whoever. So there was interest but not too serious. Now, everything has shifted a little. Now, they’re both in a position to where a deal is much more likely now.”