Veteran forward Luol Deng and the Lakers are discussing buyout and trade options, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN reports. Deng’s contract will make trading him a difficult task and the Lakers could eventually use the waive-and-stretch provision if the other options fail, Shelburne adds.
Deng has been stuck on the inactive list in the early going and remained there on Sunday even though forward Larry Nance Jr. suffered a fractured left hand on Thursday. Deng, who signed a four-year, $72MM contract as a free agent last year, has only appeared in one game this season.
Deng told Shelburne he needs to find another team that will give him a chance. He has tried to keep a positive attitude, especially around the young players.
“It definitely hurts but the only answer for me now is to prove myself away from LA,” Deng said. “I’m not asked to play, I’m not in the rotation so I can’t prove myself here. Most of these young guys don’t understand the business of basketball, so if I come in here and I’m angry every day, I’m taking something away from them. I have to be smiling, I have to be in the best mood I can be in, because they’re living their dream of being an NBA player.”
Deng, 32, appeared in 53 games last season before he fell out of the rotation. He added to Shelburne that it could be “a month, it could be a week, it could be three months” before his situation is resolved.
The Lakers would certainly be glad to find a taker for Deng’s contract so that they can clear more cap space and pursue top-level free agents over the next two summers. They managed to move Timofey Mozgov‘s four-year, $64MM deal during the offseason, Shelburne notes.
We could use him in Miami again… only if he gets a buyout though.
Too many guys at the 4. He doesn’t play the 3 anymore.
Bucks please. Be great off the bench and since we didn’t pickup Vaughns option that might be a viable trade option
I’m a lakers fan. I’d give him to you for free. I’d take Vaughn in a heart beat
Buyout is likely. I can’t see a trade happening with his salary and the value of the Lakers’ 2019 1st unknown because of the LeBron and PG13 rumors. After a buyout, I see Minnesota as a probable landing spot. He’d provide a bit more depth and leadership for Thibbs’ Timberbulls.
Yes please.
Lakers don’t have their 2018 1st round pick and per NBA rules are not allowed to trade two consecutive 1st round picks. The 1st round pick would have to be in 2020.
Only way we are able to trade this guy is if we throw I young talent I think like Clarkson, maybe Bryant as well or Zubac but for sure Clarkson and maybe one of those guys. I think the best bet is to use the wave and stretch on him. The sooner the better
Clarkson plus Deng is way too much salary for a single team to take on and the lakers don’t want salary back
Clarkson is good. Buyout or trade for a bad expiring contact and half salary.
Has Jim Buss landed another Team President role yet? Maybe his new team can acquire Deng. /j
You are aware he is an owner right. He didn’t leave the lakers he just stepped down from decision making
Nice signing idiots. Lol
Nice coaching….
Not his fault the Lakers refuse to play him at his actual positions
Just goes to show how former players, as great as they may have been, 9/10 times they dont become good gms. Coaches yes, but not gms.
This was a bad signing by the old management. They actually had done a pretty good job in the past but were struggling mightily the last few years getting players to come over to the Lakers and overpaid these guys but before the last few years Mitch wasn’t too bad. Magic and Rob have done a great job I personally believe even though it’s only their first year I feel like they’ve completely changed the culture already and it’s only going to get better as the young guys develop more and they bring in a few key free agents such Paul George or D. Cousins or Lebron. How about that Kuzma draft pick by the way? Kid is a stud! Steal of the draft in my opinion.
Yeah, the has nothing to do with Magic and everything to do with how often ill-equipped and unprepared heirs to great fortunes spoil legacies.
This one’s all on Jim Buss.
If I was Deng, I would not accept one penny less than the full amount of the deal. It’s not like he is ever going to get another contract after this one, so going somewhere he can play is a moot point.
Deng truly is a class act. Hope he lands somewhere where he’s utilized.
So many bigs can be had for next to nothing this offseason. The only way I see them trading Deng is pairing him with one of Lakers young players. He has two years and $26M left on his contract. For that type of money a buyout will be pricey.
It’s actually 2 years and $36 million…not counting the additional rest of the $18 million for this season.
Lmao at the commenters who think Magic Johnson signed Deng to his contract.. do some research.
Can the bulls please trade for him. For a first rounder this year. Luol Deng was such a big part of our old bulls teams I miss him. We have the cap space and we will get picks for it
deng x ingram lol. kuzma took ingrams place