Lakers 'more likely now' to target Derrick Rose in trade?

The Los Angeles Lakers discussed a trade for Derrick Rose with the Detroit Pistons at the 2020 NBA trade deadline, but a deal wasn't completed for a number of reasons. 

While they couldn't complete something this past season, one NBA general manager believes the Lakers are "more likely now" to trade for Rose than ever before:

“I think both sides were reluctant when they went into in January, February,” one general manager told Sean Deveny of Heavy.com.

“I don’t think the Lakers wanted to make a major move because they thought they could do something on the buyout market. And I don’t think the Pistons wanted to make a major move because Derrick was happy there. You know, the Lakers wanted to be involved in case the Clippers got involved or someone else, the Bucks or the Nuggets, whoever. So there was interest but not too serious. Now, everything has shifted a little. Now, they’re both in a position to where a deal is much more likely now.”

Rose has one year left on his contract with the Pistons, and Detroit is looking to undergo a total rebuild this offseason. The 32-year-old averaged 18.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game for the Pistons in 2019-20 while shooting 49.0 percent from the field and 30.6 percent from beyond the arc. 

The Lakers certainly could use Rose for the 2020-21 campaign, especially because Rajon Rondo will reportedly test the market this offseason and could depart L.A. Rose also has a solid relationship with Anthony Davis, who could push general manager Rob Pelinka to acquire the former MVP.

Rose, who was the No. 1 overall pick by Chicago in 2008, has averaged 18.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.6 assists across his tenure with the Bulls, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Pistons.