With two years left on his current contract Demar qualifies for the Lakers timeline to free up cap space for a super-max contract player in the summer of 27' i.e Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic. You wouldn't have to give up a first round pick to get him, his annual salary is not too huge to trade for and he's likely available.
Although Lebron is currently playing at an unprecendented second team all-nba level at 40 years of age...Due to Luka being the future of the organization the Lakers understandably plan to not mortgage their future (trade away their first round draft picks) now to contend unless it's for a mega star, top-ten player, that's around the age/timeline of Luka.
Why the Lakers do it: This trade for Derozan provides the Lakers with a star in his role (A Los Angeles native) that averaged 24.0 ppg this past season and has averaged over 20.0 ppg over the last twelve seasons. A perpetual clutch-time points leader, a don't worry if I don't shoot threes i'm a certified bucket getter, to lead the second group while coming off the bench. Also, Demar has proven that he can potentially thrive with Luka having successfully played in a 3-point shooting system with the Bulls before Lonzo Ball got hurt. With this trade (unlike many other trade scenarios on this site-to get the Lakers to true championship contention) you wouldn't have to give up Rui or Reaves!
Why the Kings do it: The Kings remained a play-in team in 2024-2025 after forming their version of a big three. This should conclude their year over year team experiment that has resulted in them making middling first round draft picks and barely moving the needle trades that just haven't worked out. It's time for this team to efficiently begin trading off their assets (While they're still assets) and accrue draft capital. It's time for the Kings' management to light the beam on this team, hit the gong on them, and tear it down!
What the Kings would receive in this trade are two players in the last year of their contract to provide cap space for next year, future draft capital, and a talented young player in Dalton Knecht to develop on a reasonable contract who was chosen just outside of the lottery last year. This trade would help Sacramento towards what should be their current agenda of putting themselves in the best possible position to benefit from the highly touted-strong upcoming draft class in 2026.
If nothing else of significance comes of the organizations future, the Kings could make history as the trade partner that assisted Lebron with further solidifying his place above most/all of the all-time greats
And southern California would forever appreciate Sacramento for rightfully sending Demar home with a story book ending of winning a ring. 🏆
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