Magic Johnson Reveals Lakers Had A Trade Done For DeMar DeRozan And Were Going To Get Buddy Hield

The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to DeMar DeRozan and Buddy Hield for years and Magic Johnson has now revealed that both men came very close to joining the team once. During an appearance on Speak, Johnson claimed that a trade for DeRozan was done and that the Lakers were going to acquire Hield as well.

“They had the trade done. (Kyle) Kuzma for DeMar," Johnson said. "And then we were going to get Buddy Hield. That’s all we had to do.”

Johnson, who was president of basketball operations for the Lakers from 2017 to 2019, didn't specify the year here but it's safe to assume he was referring to the 2021 offseason. DeRozan, a Compton native, was a free agent at the time and had publicly stated that he would love to play for his hometown team one day.