Lakers Rumors: Three possible salary dump trades for the Lakers
By Jason Reed
The only other man with a larger annual deal that isn’t expiring? Luol Deng, hence his inclusion on this list. While Clarkson may be the easiest to trade, therefore being the first one to possibly go, Deng is easily the Lakers first choice to part ways with. Deng is owed $54 million over the next three seasons, no, this is not the 2010 Luol Deng we are speaking of.
This is the Luol Deng that averaged just 7.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists last season. He scored nearly five fewer points with regressions in both rebounds and assists. This is not the solid veteran performance that the Lakers were looking for to aid Brandon Ingram, giving them buyers remorse just one year later.
It is understandable why the Lakers want to erase last year’s mistake. However, luckily for them, there may be a perfect trade partner in the opposite locker room in the Staples Center. With Doc Rivers now out of the front office to solely focus on coaching, it may be time that his son, Austin Rivers, is dealt from the Los Angeles Clippers.
What better destination that the Los Angeles Lakers? Bringing in Rivers gives the Lakers perhaps the best young 1-2 duo at point guard. Sure, they would have to give up draft pick Josh Hart according to this deal, but acquiring Rivers would move just directly fill the void left behind.
Rivers is under contract for just two more seasons, owed $24 million in that span. Luckily for the Lakers, Rivers does hold a player option after this year, so he could opt out and join a contender.