DeMar DeRozan Calls Out Lakers for Decision Not to Sign Him
DeMar DeRozan, the star forward for the Chicago Bulls, recently addressed a major “what-if” scenario in his NBA career, calling out the Los Angeles Lakers for their decision not to sign him. DeRozan, a Southern California native, has long expressed his desire to play for the Lakers, especially after leaving the San Antonio Spurs in 2021. At that time, he was a free agent and believed a move to Los Angeles was all but certain.
In a recent interview, DeRozan opened up about how close he was to donning the Lakers’ purple and gold and his disappointment when the deal fell through. “I thought it was a done deal. I thought it was going to happen,” DeRozan said. “I was looking forward to being back home.”
The Lakers, however, pivoted toward acquiring Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards instead. This decision shocked many, including DeRozan, as his playing style—an elite mid-range scorer who brings versatility—seemed to perfectly fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
“I don’t know what happened,” DeRozan continued. “The opportunity to play for the Lakers, to play at home, would have been a dream come true, but things didn’t go that way. I can’t control it.”
The decision to sign Westbrook instead of DeRozan has been heavily scrutinized, particularly after Westbrook’s difficult stint in Los Angeles, where his ball-dominant style clashed with the team’s chemistry. The Lakers’ struggles during that period, including their inability to make a deep playoff run, added fuel to the ongoing debate about whether the franchise made the wrong call in overlooking DeRozan.
DeRozan, who eventually signed a three-year, $85 million deal with the Bulls, went on to have an All-Star season in Chicago. His resurgence as one of the league’s top scorers has only deepened the “what could have been” speculation among Lakers fans and analysts alike.
Despite missing out on playing for his hometown team, DeRozan has remained focused on his success with the Bulls, where he’s emerged as a veteran leader. However, his comments have made it clear that the Lakers’ decision to pass on him left a lasting impact.
As the Lakers continue to search for the right formula to return to championship contention, DeRozan’s remarks have added another chapter to the ongoing conversation about their roster-building decisions. Fans and critics alike will continue to wonder how different things might have been if the Lakers had chosen DeRozan over Westbrook.
