Lakers Trade Rumors: Alex Caruso, Draft Pick Deadline Offer for Derrick Rose
March 6, 2020
The Los Angeles Lakers were quiet at the Feb. 6 trade deadline, but it wasn't for a lack of effort on general manager Rob Pelinka's part.
Per The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Lakers offered the Detroit Pistons a combination of Alex Caruso and draft compensation for Derrick Rose, but the Pistons turned down the deal after placing a "high value" on Rose.
The Pistons wound up holding on to Rose, who has another season left on his contract, at the deadline.
One concern for the Lakers roster down the stretch this season and into the playoffs is their backcourt depth. Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo are sharing the duties at point guard, though both have missed time because of injuries.
Rondo has struggled with his shot this season, making just 33.6 percent of his three-point attempts. Bradley is a respectable three-point shooter on the Lakers roster (36.7 percent).
The Lakers have been able to make up for their lack of trade activity with some late-season moves that can help their postseason push. Charania reported Thursday they will sign Dion Waiters for the remainder of the season.
Markieff Morris signed with the team on Feb. 23 after being bought out by the Pistons. He's averaging 5.8 points on 38.5 percent shooting in five games with the Lakers.
Rose has a higher ceiling than Waiters or Morris. The former NBA MVP is averaging 18.1 points and 5.6 assists in 50 games for the Pistons.
Even though Los Angeles' pursuit of Rose came up short, the franchise hasn't lost a step since the trade deadline. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have the Lakers sitting atop the Western Conference with a 47-13 record, five games ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers.