DeMar DeRozan Says He Can't Rule Out Signing Lakers Contract Amid Bulls Rumors

DeMar DeRozan has made no secret of his desire to remain with the Chicago Bulls, but the six-time All-Star isn't ruling out potentially playing in his hometown as he prepares to enter free agency.

Appearing on FanDuel TV's Run It Back, DeRozan said he would "never say no" when asked about the possibility of signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.

In the same interview, DeRozan said he loves Chicago and "would love" to "take care of unfinished business" with the Bulls.

DeRozan would certainly help the Lakers, but he wouldn't address their biggest issue this season. They averaged the third-fewest three-point attempts (31.4) and ranked 24th in three-pointers made per game (11.8) in the regular season.

Things were even worse for the Lakers in the postseason. Their average of 8.8 threes made per game was tied with the New Orleans Pelicans for last among the 16 playoff teams. They ranked 15th in three-pointers attempted (29.4) and three-point percentage (29.9) en route to losing to the Denver Nuggets in five games.

DeRozan is a master in the mid-range, but he's never been an effective three-point shooter with a 29.6 percent success rate in his career.

Assuming LeBron James remains with the club, ESPN's Bobby Marks noted the Lakers would still have some financial flexibility if D'Angelo Russell opts out of his $18.7 million deal for next season.

Of course, Russell's potential free agency would leave the Lakers with a void at point guard that would almost certainly take precedence over adding DeRozan to play small forward. They could try to add a point guard and bring in DeRozan, but the cost could be exorbitant for a team that doesn't have a lot cap room to throw around if James returns.

K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reported last month the Bulls offered DeRozan a two-year deal worth "perhaps as much as $40 million per season," but he is currently seeking a longer-term contract.

If DeRozan wants to find a spot that is better positioned to give him a chance to compete for a championship, the Lakers would seem like a more intriguing option than the Bulls.

James and Anthony Davis have been able to carry the Lakers into the postseason each of the past two years before losing to the Denver Nuggets both times.

DeRozan averaged 24.0 points on 48.0 percent shooting and 5.3 assists per game in 79 starts for the Bulls this season.