NBA Rumors: Lakers Considering Blockbuster Trade With Bulls

The Los Angeles Lakers have been biding their time, waiting for the right time to pounce and finally trade those coveted 2027 and 2029 first-round picks in order to land some difference-makers to push them back into contention this season. 

According to a wild rumor making the rounds on Friday, they've had "internal discussions" of a blockbuster deal with the Chicago Bulls to bring in DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic in return for those two draft picks plus Russell Westbrook's expiring contract. 

REPORT: The Lakers have had “internal discussions” on a trade that would send Russell Westbrook and two 1st-round picks to Chicago for DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic.

(via @ZachLowe_NBA, https://t.co/9UnlVaol59) pic.twitter.com/iPsTndx6ku

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 2, 2022

"I can tell you 100% for sure the Lakers have had internal discussions about that very possibility," said  Zach Lowe on his ESPN podcast, The Lowe Post. "[If they didn't consider it] they'd be irresponsible."

Adding the two All-Stars would certainly be a huge upgrade for LA, though still doesn't add the outside shooting they desperately need. DeRozan is a mid-range monster, among the top players in the league at that distance, but from the 3-point line, neither he nor Vucevic are difference-makers. 

Genuine question: for those who think the Lakers should trade the two picks for DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic, what do you prefer about those two over Myles Turner and Buddy Hield other than individual scoring ability?

— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) December 2, 2022

That 'other' long-speculated trade, with the Indiana Pacers for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield, would certainly seem to add the shooting the Lakers really need. But adding two players with a total of seven All-Star selections certainly sounds more 'Hollywood'. 

From the Bulls' side of that potential trade, Lowe said he's seen reaction already of  "'Why would the Bulls do this? This is a horrible trade for the Bulls'. And it seems horrible because... they just built this team last year and... They're minus-6 per 100 possessions with LaVine, Vucevic and DeRozan on the floor, after being outscored by a tiny margin last year... You're getting outscored with those three All-Stars on the floor? That's not good... I don't think it's a crazy awful trade for the Bulls."

For now, this is just in the talking stage, and only in the Lakers' front office, at that. But it sure makes for a great Hollywood story. 

Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports