Bulls All-Star DeMar DeRozan already in contact with Lakers, says NBA insider

Free agency is already underway for the National Basketball Association, and several big moves have already taken place.

Most significantly, Klay Thompson has left the Golden State Warriors and decided to join the Dallas Mavericks. This came as a surprise since many people speculated that Thompson would join the Los Angeles Lakers.

Despite this setback, NBA insider Chris Haynes has reported that the Lakers have set their sights on a new free agent: Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan.

"The Lakers felt they had a legitimate shot to get Klay," Haynes said. "Now they have to pivot. So who's left out there? Who could make sense? Someone who is a star-caliber player, that LeBron James is seeking for this team for the upcoming season? DeMar DeRozan is the biggest free agent left out there on the board."

James has already shown interest in getting DeRozan to Los Angeles, even offering to take a pay cut for the All-Star forward. However, Haynes thinks it will take a lot more than that.

"It will either take a sign-and-trade or it will take the Lakers getting creative, removing some players, clearing the books to be able to get DeMar over there.

"I know there has been communication between the Lakers and DeMar's agent, Aaron Goodwin. It will either take a one-year deal or sign-and-trade and we can get a three-year deal. So I would think, I'm speculating a little bit, I would think that their next target is DeMar DeRozan."

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