DeMar DeRozan should avoid Lakers, target Clippers in free agency

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in acquiring DeMar DeRozan in free agency. The NBA insider believes he could be among the veteran talents LeBron James would be willing to take a pay cut for.

"I think there's more than three," Windhorst said on the "Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective" podcast . "I think DeMar DeRozan is on that list as well. And there may be another one or so."

DeRozan is a Los Angeles native. He is also expected to draw interest from the LA Clippers, who lost Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.

DeRozan would likely find a bigger role with Ty Lue's team. Moving to the Lakers could potentially limit his ability to live in the mid-range due to the lack of floor spacing around James and Anthony Davis.

The Lakers have struggled to add genuine perimeter shooting threats in recent years. DeRozan lives in the mid-range. He would hurt news Lakers coach JJ Redick's spacing rather than help improve it.

However, the Clippers don't have the same issues. DeRozan would be free to play to his strengths at the Intuit Dome and would likely be a secondary or tertiary scoring option.

DeRozan has earned the opportunity to contend for a championship after his tenure with the Chicago Bulls. Despite losing George, the Clippers appear better suited to making a deep postseason run next season. The Lakers have too many question marks hanging over them, including adding a rookie head coach with no experience on the sidelines.

If he has the choice, DeRozan would be better served heading to the Clippers this summer. The Lakers come with too much baggage. He would still get to play in his hometown and compete at the highest level. The only difference is that he wouldn't have the never-ending media cycle that comes with wearing the Purple and Gold.

DeRozan will ultimately make the choice that's best for his career. From the outside looking in, that choice is to team up with Kawhi Leonard and Lue.