The Los Angeles Lakers are slowly rebuilding back to the point of contention in the Western Conference. Looking at their roster, they have a lot of the pieces needed for their future. D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle are all talented pieces who could power the Lakers back into the playoffs in the next few seasons.
While they are on the right direction, the Lakers have some money to spend next offseason. There are a lot of bigger names available in free agency, and Los Angeles could consider targeting a point guard. Russell Westbrook is the big name, but there is another player who could come cheaper that would make a big impact for the Lakers, as well.
Derrick Rose is heading for free agency and could end up leaving the New York Knicks. Phil Jackson and the Knicks acquired Rose for a trade package of Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant, and Jose Calderon, as ESPN originally reported.
We reported here at the Inquisitr that the Lakers were connected with Rose earlier in the offseason , and that they could be a perfect fit for the former MVP.
Last season with the Bulls, Rose showed flashes of his former self and stayed healthier than he had in recent years. He still isn’t back to the MVP caliber player that he was before he first tore his ACL. Rose averaged 16.4 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting 42.7 percent from the field overall and knocking down 29.3 percent of his three-point attempts.
At 27-years-old, Rose still has plenty of time to turn his career around in the next few years. Perhaps a change of scenery from Chicago to New York will help do the trick. Pressure has been mounting for the last few years with the Bulls to resume his star caliber numbers, and that can hold a player back.
Why would the Lakers be interested in signing Rose if they already have Russell at the point guard position?
First of all, Luke Walton wants the Lakers to get back into the playoff picture in the near future. Russell is a very good point guard, but Los Angeles will have to bring in some veteran pieces in order to compete. Rose could play the backup point guard position or push Russell for the starting job, but either way would be a huge upgrade over the current point guard depth.
Jordan Clarkson was re-signed this offseason by the Lakers, and they are hoping that he develops into a star. That may or may not happen, but Rose could push him for minutes as well. Rose would be an undersized shooting guard, but has the all-around game of a shooting guard.
Walton could also slide Russell up to the shooting guard slot. Russell is 6-foot-5 and more than capable of playing that position if needed.
All of that being said, there are many different ways that Rose could fit into the Lakers’ system. He would bring a scoring punch and extra playmaking ability, assuming he’s able to stay healthy. Rose would also cost a fraction of the price that one of the other superstar point guards will be searching for in their new contract.
Los Angeles could look into signing Rose and another piece to help improve their playoff chances. Rose is going to be highly sought after despite the injury issues he has struggled with, but the draw of playing in Los Angeles could help the Lakers bring him in if they choose to pursue him.
Do you think the Los Angeles Lakers would be a good fit for Derrick Rose? What other teams do you think should show interest in signing the former MVP point guard? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!
[Photo by AP Photo/Mary Altaffer]