DeMar DeRozan chatted with LeBron James several times throughout the summer. His agent, Aaron Goordwin, was negotiating behind the scenes with the San Antonio Spurs management to clarify the details of an operation that would have sent the guard to Los Angeles.
Player and representative approached the movement with optimism, feeling that all the parties involved were rowing in the same direction. However, the Lakers’ roadmap changed just as Russell Westbrook was within reach.
The conversations between Lakers and Spurs diminished until resulting in an outcome that we all know by now: DeRozan landed in Chicago through a sign-and-trade and the Angelenos chose to take over Westbrook’s services. Internally, Los Angeles offices were in favor of hiring the then Washington Wizards point guard rather than stick with DeRozan.
This Monday, this decision turned against the Lakers, who suffered in their own flesh the 38 points of the shooting guard. Although it may be thought that behind this exhibition there was some hidden motivation, The truth is that DeRozan wanted to avoid any type of controversy and affirmed that he does not hold a grudge against the Californian organization.
“I felt that the Lakers thing was already done and that I was going to go home,” said the player. as you pick up a piece of Yahoo Sports. “The commercial part of things didn’t work out. A couple of things didn’t fit. It is just part of the business. My second option was Chicago. Now, looking back, everything went well. “
Indeed, the success has been twofold. The Bulls have reached the top of the Eastern Conference with a record of ten wins and four losses. In turn, DeRozan has seen his name burst into the first pools for the MVP of the season award. The course of his team, his numbers (26.9 points) and his great impact on the game support this.
Meanwhile, things haven’t started as well for the Lakers. Westbrook’s adaptation to his new team has been more problematic, as well as a first few weeks of many ups and downs and doubts on a collective level. Also at this point, DeRozan has avoided any kind of compromised statement.
«No [no lo han hecho mal]Russ is a future Hall of Fame«Continued the Bulls player. «It is difficult to reject a player of that caliber. I can’t speak for the Lakers, but they opted for what they felt was best for them. No hard feelings or animosity. I just see it as part of the game. A deal is never done until it is closed. I learned that. It just didn’t work out and now I’m happy to be in Chicago. “
In addition, DeRozan pointed out that the interest from the city of Los Angeles was twofold when he also received the call from the Clippers. They didn’t have much to offer. It was a conversation that came up but didn’t go as far as the situation with the Lakers. “
(Photo courtesy of Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)
