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Los Angeles Lakers: Luol Deng and the five worst NBA contracts

ByJason Reed|
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

5. Timofey Mozgov — Four years, $64 million

Wow, what a surprise. Another inclusion on this top-five worst contracts list is yet another contract signed by the Los Angeles Lakers. Luckily for Rob Pelinka andMagic Johnson, though, Mozgov’s contract was not as bad and the front office was able to get rid of him.

It only cost them a second overall pick in the process.

Mozgovwas tradedto the Brooklyn Nets prior to this NBA season alongsideD’Angelo RussellforBrook Lopezand a draft pick. Luckily for LA, losing Russell was not too bad as it opened the door forLonzo Balland the draft pick eventually ended up beingKyle Kuzma. Not too shabby, the Lakers avoided disaster.

What the old Lakers’ front office saw in Mozgov I have no idea. Sure, he was coming off of an NBA Championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but that alone does not merit a $64 million payday. Mozgov was averaging 6.3 points and 4.4 rebounds with the Cavs. They paidthatmuch for 6.3 points per game.

Although his averages did go up to 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds, they are still awful. The Lakers paid Mozgov $40,000 for every shot he made in his lone season as a Laker. Ouch.

At least Pelinka and Johnson were able to get him off the books.

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