NBA News: DeMar DeRozan Says Joining Lakers Was Once A 'Realistic Option'

DeMar DeRozan was hardly given attention when he was looking for a team in the offseason.

He was linked to several teams and most got a bit surprised when he ended up joining the Chicago Bulls.

Before that, there was a growing belief that the five-time All-Star would imminently join the Los Angeles Lakers.

But all that was scorned when the Hollywood-based franchise decided to go with Russell Westbrook instead.

Taylor Rooks of The Bleacher Report got a chance to talk with the 32-year-old cager and DeRozan revealed how he was ready to take a pay cut to don the signature purple-and-gold jersey.

"One, I wanted to go home, because the opportunity to go home, you don't get that opportunity often," he stated,

"It was an option. Have the opportunity to play with one of the greatest players of all time [in LeBron James], why not? It's hard to turn that down. Then wanting to compete for a championship in your hometown00all those elements just had lined up to allow me to consider a realistic pay cut."

His decision to sign with the Bulls appears to have been a blessing in disguise as his team is doing far better than the Lakers.

Los Angeles has been having a rough go right now with the Westbrook addition not reaping dividends.

Injuries have also been plaguing the Lakers, yet another reason why the team is struggling.

One can only wonder if DeRozan was around and step up to fill those voids.

Regardless, the fact is DeRozan is proving to be a gem of an addition to the Bulls. After signing an $85 million, three-year deal, he has been proving to be worth every penny.

DeRozan is Chicago’s top scorer at the moment, averaging 26.4 points per game to go with five rebounds and 4.8 assists in 43 games.

Even better, he has been instrumental in the Bulls' run this season. Chicago is at the top of the Eastern Conference standings alongside the Miami Heat as of this writing.