DeRozan, who has met and talked to James twice, thought he was the Lakers' first choice

The Athletic reporter Shams Charania wrote an article reporting on the inside story of Bulls guard Demar DeRozan's missed opportunity to join the Lakers this summer.

Robertan, a California native and former University of California student, has twice visited LeBron James' home to meet him and additionally maintain telephone communication with James. His conversations with several Of the Lakers' stars went well, and the soon-to-be free agent discussed all the ways he thought the new star trio might play a role.

DeRozan, after completing his meeting with James, saw him as their primary target of pursuit and he could soon be wearing a purple-gold jersey.

However, as the process unfolded, DeRozan's side began to worry about the gap between the Lakers' stars and management. Are the opinions shared at the players' meetings the same as those from management? Essentially, does the left hand know what the right hand is doing?

Pelinka, vice president of basketball operations for the Lakers, has often said that when assembling the team lineup, he will consider James and Anthony Davis, asking them about the pros and cons of any potential additions and their views on the right people. This summer is no exception. Whatever conversations James and Davis have had against other players, they both do so based on their own time and interests.

So nearly two years after James became the driving force behind the Davis deal, he now forms a team of power brokers with Davis to evaluate possible replacements. Jared Dudley's appearance is noteworthy, especially given the reactions that will be triggered soon after he leaves the team. Dudley has a keen understanding of the commercial side of the sport, though some sources close to the situation have downplayed the impact of his involvement. Throughout his career, James has been drawn to veteran players like Dudley and developed intimate relationships with them, allowing them to be part of his trusted circle of friends.

The Lakers focused first on Lillard and Bill, but there was no viable trade path, and then they turned their attention to more realistic targets: Westbrook, DeRozan, Hield and Kyle Lowry.

At the players' meeting, everyone was very excited about deRozan's prospect of joining. Even if he's not the Lakers' first choice, it's easy to imagine he'll be their best bet.

For the Lakers, sources with knowledge of the situation revealed that it is necessary to be able to maintain as many potential opportunities as possible.

Pelinka and his management are strongly considering signing deRozan, 32, in the process, and they will abandon Kyle Kuzma and Kentavius Caldwell Pope, but will not be able to agree with the Spurs on a trade-off through the free agent market or find the right contract amount for DeRozan, the sources said. What's more, sources reveal that the choice to sign DeRozan did not progress to the point where it was presented to Jenny Bass for approval.

Although she has long authorized Pelinka to be the final decision maker in the front office, the influence of her family tradition is still large. It's clear that the Westbrook deal is seen as a move that would make her late father, Lakers legendary owner Dr. Jerry Bass, smile. If only they could cross the finish line.

Hilde could have spent less chips: all it took was Kuzma and Harald's salaries to make the deal a success. The Lakers could add a career 40 percent three-point shooter while still retaining the first-round pick and Pop. Internal debates seem to be going on all the time.

But before Westbrook went to Wizards boss Leonsis, Pelinka had focused her energy on the deal rather than trying to get DeRozan by signing, prompting the latter to turn elsewhere. Plan C, as you'd like to call it, has been informally ruled out.

Once Westbrook persuaded the Wizards to trade with the Lakers, the Lakers also made the choice to abandon Hield. While Hield fits their team structure better, the Lakers believe Westbrook could make them a more dangerous team in the playoffs. Essentially, it's a decision to make between a player they think can play a key role in 16 playoff games and a player who can only play a talent in the regular season.

Sources said the decision upset King management. The king didn't even know they were competing for the Deal with Westbrook.

(Editor: Yao Fan)