DeMar DeRozan shocks everyone, reveals he considered joining Lakers

To the surprise of absolutely no one, DeMar DeRozan has once again talked about possibly joining the Lakers.

There are three certainties in life: death, taxes and DeMar DeRozan talking about joining the Lakers in free agency.

This summer offered the newest chance for DeMar DeRozan to mention wanting to be a Laker without actually choosing to become a Laker. This time, DeRozan went on Paul George’s podcast to chop it up with another guy who wanted to be a Laker at one point, too.

DeRozan discussed his decision to choose to sign with the Kings and, in doing so, said he legitimately considered joining the Lakers.

If you haven’t seen before, allow me to introduce you to the list of times DeRozan has talked about joining the Lakers, which is an extensive one that has another bullet point to add to it.

Our list was originally published in September of 2022 when DeRozan went on JJ Redick’s podcast and talked about how much he wanted to join the Lakers.

• Sep. 29, 2022 - DeRozan says he thought it was a ‘done deal’ that he was going to be a Laker on the JJ Redick podcast.
• Nov. 15, 2021 - DeRozan says joining the Lakers “almost happened” during the offseason.
• Oct. 18, 2021 - In an interview with Draymond Green on Bleacher Report, DeRozan says he wanted to come home this summer.
• Oct. 9, 2021 — DeRozan tells Shams Charania of The Athletic it would have been a “hell of an opportunity” to play with the Lakers this season.
• July 31, 2021 - Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports that DeRozan had his “sights set” on joining the Lakers but he wouldn’t take a “significant” pay cut after the team traded for Westbrook.
• July 26, 2021 - DeRozan tells Shannon Sharpe of Fox Sports 1 that it would be a “great opportunity” to come to Los Angeles and play with Anthony Davis and James.
• July 23, 2021 - Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times reports that DeRozan is willing to take a pay cut to join the Lakers.
• Nov. 13, 2020 - On the “All The Smoke” podcast, DeRozan says he was honored to be linked in trade talks with the Lakers.
• Nov. 23, 2016 - DeRozan reveals that it was hard to say no to the Lakers during free agency before returning to the Raptors in an interview with Marc Spears of The Undefeated.
• July 23, 2016 - In an interview with Mark Medina, then of the Los Angeles Daily News, DeRozan says that joining the Lakers was something that would “cross your mind” as an L.A. native.
• June 30, 2016 - The Lakers were among the teams to meet with DeRozan in free agency, according to Haynes.
• May 29, 2016 - Per a report by Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report, the Lakers are “aren’t that high” on DeRozan.

Fortunately, with this latest deal, this should probably be the last time he has the opportunity to join the Lakers. I think.

Unless, that is, he’s bought out from his contract. And then we have another chance to add to the list.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.