Lakers Rumors: Lakers host two workouts, latest rumors, and more
By Jason Reed
![Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA;Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) drives between UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) and guard Lonzo Ball (2) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA;Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) drives between UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) and guard Lonzo Ball (2) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/685672812a8f31487a3ef39d48bdffb1e96124183ec8dba7e4cda076b767da84.jpg)
Luol Deng trade is possible, but there is a catch
Luol Deng is a sour spot in the Los Angeles Lakers roster. While Deng certainly has had a fantastic career and was great for the Chicago Bulls, he is only holding the Lakers back. Last summer the Lakers signed Deng to a four-year, $72 million dollar contract. This contract is obviously absurd and is doing nothing but hurting the Lakers.
Of course, hindsight is always 20/20 and it is easy now to say that this is an immense mistake for the Lakers, but how did they think this is a good idea? Deng at the time was 31 years old. Bear in mind, this was not a 31-year-old Lebron James, this was a 31-year-old player that had slowly seen his points per game drop every season since 2013.
Especially with drafting small forward Brandon Ingram, this deal seemed ludicrous. Now, with Paul George heading to LA seeming inevitable, the Lakers realize that this contract is dead weight and it needs to go.
It may seem impossible to convince a team to take on this contract, but it may not be. Reports show that the Lakers could get rid of Luol Deng, but they would need to throw in a lottery pick as well.
An executive with another team suggested a lottery pick to me as a viable option for Lakers, should they choose https://t.co/D3uRQzY5Rw
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) June 14, 2017
Well, I am not entirely sure if the Lakers would want to make that big of a sacrifice to get rid of Luol Deng, especially considering they don’t own a first-round pick next year. Oh yeah, and the team has Timofey Mozgov to worry about as well, so that is troublesome.