Lakers more interested in Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso than Zach LaVine?

Here’s something that’s not new — the Los Angeles being linked to trade talks. In this case, it’s Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, who reportedly is being made available.

But LaVine may not even be the Bull that is drawing the most interest from LA, according to top Lakers insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

Instead, the Lakers may be more inclined to see what the Bulls might think about a trade involving either small forward DeMar DeRozan or guard Alex Caruso, the former Laker.

Buha discussed as much on Hoops Tonight.

“I’ve actually heard that they’re more interested in DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso,” Buha said. “AC, he’s the one that got away. Lakers fans, it still bothers them. Inside of the organization, it’s still a very divisive topic. And then DeMar is someone the Lakers have courted for several years now.

“Both of those guys are on more manageable contracts. Alex has a partial guarantee for next season, DeMar is an expiring contract. DeMar comes in, he’s that over-the-top shotmaker that the team seemingly doesn’t really have outside of when (LeBron James‘) jumper is falling. And then Alex Caruso, one of the best point of attack defenders in the league, one of the best perimeter in the league period. We’ve seen the success he’s had next to LeBron and (Anthony Davis) in a Lakers jersey, so I think both of those guys make more sense within what the Lakers need. There’s real interest in all three guys, but from what I’ve heard DeMar and Alex are higher on their priority list.”

It sounds as if any deal involving the Lakers, Bulls, LaVine or the others is far from imminent. Chicago reportedly does not want to trade Caruso under almost any circumstance — and not likely for anything the Lakers would be willing to surrender.

But there hasn’t been much interest in LaVine at this point. If the Bulls really want to move him, the Lakers may be their only hope.

Here are @jovanbuha’s thoughts on the potential for a Bulls/Lakers deal before the deadline, and who the Lakers would most likely target.

ICYMI, our full Lakers breakdown is in the quoted tweet! https://t.co/czgFdxejdH pic.twitter.com/UQVHV6LtNG

— Jason Timpf (@_JasonLT) November 29, 2023