The Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers discussed a deal regarding Derrick Rose during the 2019-20 trade deadline. According to Shams Charnia of The Athletic, the two teams discussed a deal for Rose surrounding Alex Caruso and draft compensation.

However, the two teams could never come to a deal and the Lakers went on to be NBA Champions and Rose played 30 minutes a night for the Pistons.

With the 2019-20 season over and the offseason starting to heat up, it is rumored that Detroit and Los Angeles could be trying to strike up a new deal that would send the former MVP to LA. According to Sean Deveney of Heavy, both teams were reluctant to make a big move in January and February due to the Lakers’ positioning in the standings, and being that Rose was happy with where he was at. Now that the Lakers are coming off of a championship and Detroit is committed to a full-blown rebuild, now might be the time to make a deal.

“I think both sides were reluctant when they went into in January, February,” one general manager told Deveney. “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.” 

With guards Rajon Rondo and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope opting out of their contracts and hitting the free agency market, it makes sense for Los Angeles to pursue Rose. The 32 year-old guard is coming off of a season where he averaged 18.1 points and 5.6 assists on 49/30.6/87.1 shooting splits.

According to Deveney, the Pistons wanted Kyle Kuzma in return, but would have been reluctant if that was even offered. Now with Rose’s trade value a lot higher and the rebuild imminent, Derrick Rose to LA is a lot more likely than it was eight months ago.