Lakers: Building the ideal 10-man rotation for the 2018 season
By Jason Reed
10 – Luol Deng (SF)
Let’s face it, the Los Angeles Lakers are not going to be able to free up Luol Deng’s contract. That would include dealing either Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram or Kyle Kuzma; that is not happening. Thus, the Lakers are stuck with the mistake they made two summers ago in overpaying for Luol Deng, who does not contribute at all.
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It is hard to argue if any other contract in the NBA is as bad as Deng’s. The Lakers are paying Deng over $18 million per season the next two years without even using him. This season, Deng has made one appearance; a start on the Lakers’ season opener. Deng scored two points in 13 minutes. That is literally all he has done.
$18 million to do nothing. That is why the Los Angeles Lakers wanted to free up Deng first to make space for two stars. However, with Jordan Clarkson’s contract out of the mix, the Lakers do not need to move Deng and might as well at least use him.
As the tenth man, Deng will see only six to ten minutes per game, but at least the Lakers are getting something out of him. With the immense depth at power forward, Deng will likely only be used during the start of the second quarter and end of the third quarter when Paul George and Kyle Kuzma both need rest.
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Regardless, he is still under contract. With no more financial wiggle room to bring in a different bench option at small forward, the Lakers should look to utilize Luol Deng more during the 2018-2019 season.