Luol Deng Discussion: No #Dengdump, Rather Stretched Into Cash

I know what it's like at 38. It sucks. But Deng working out hard at 58...makes sense that he would tear a titty muscle.

 

I spent all morning looking for a dumping ground for Luol... and I don't think one exists. Don't get me wrong, there are teams who could use a stretch big, but none that could use a stretch big at his cost. Here's the best two spots I could find and how/why it might make some sense:

1) Atlanta. If they lose Millsap (rumored to be talking to other teams, Atlanta nervous about paying him more than 20 million for 4 years), then they'll lose quite a bit at the PF spot. Right now they've got recent athletic draftee John Collins, but is he willing/able to take over the starting job out of the gate? They still need depth behind him. If Millsap leaves, Atlanta will have some cap room, but not a lot of interest likely to come from FAs with no Dwight Howard, no Millsap, and their best player being Dennis Schroder. Luol Deng could fit in there as a stretch 4 to space the floor for Schroder who likes to drive. The reason it won't happen: The Hawks already own Ersan Ilyasova's Bird Rights. Ersan is basically a better version of Deng already, younger, and will come at a similar cost. Unless Ersan signs elsewhere in FA, there's no reason to bring Deng in when they've already got a better option... The cost would likely still be an unprotected 1st and probably more on top of that.

2) Chicago. They're in a similar position as Atlanta: they've moved on from their bigger names and are going with the young crowd. It remains to be seen what happens with Wade who may or may not take a buy out to go to a contender. Their depth chart at PF is slim with only disappointing lottery pick Bobby Portis and recent draftee Lauri Markannen on the roster. Portis has simply not been impressive as a pro; he can't shoot outside ten feet, his defense isn't exciting, and he doesn't rebound at a high level. Chicago could use some a veteran, one they're familiar with and who was good for them, at a position that needs leadership. If Deng isn't welcomed back by his favorite city, where would he be welcome? The reason it won't happen: The Bulls are going to be in basically full rebuild mode just like the Lakers. It's simply not prudent to add 17 million in salary for 3 years at a position they just drafted for. That being said, this is maybe your best bet if you're the Lakers. Sending him "home" to a position they could use... include another young piece if they want one (not a big one). The cost would still likely be an unprotected 1st and probably more on top of that.

3) Miami. This one is a bit of a long-shot. Miami has cleared a lot of cap space now that Chris Bosh's contract should be taken off their cap because of a career ending injury. There is an avenue where they could pursue Gordon Hayward and still trade for Luol Deng. Hayward would commit to signing and the Lakers would take back Wayne Ellington and Josh McRoberts along with maybe one or two of their non-guaranteed 2nd rounders to clear just enough space for Hayward. It's possible they could pull it all off and end up rolling out a lineup of Dragic/Hayward/Winslow/Deng/Whiteside... Not exactly inspiring but enough to probably compete with the Eastern Conference teams. Deng would give them... exactly what he gave them before: adequate floor spacing, decent rebounding, and smart play off the ball. The reason it won't happen: Hayward isn't walking into a meeting with Riley and hearing "we can get Luol Deng". If he is, it's not going to help him pick Miami. Miami moved on from Deng, admittedly before they knew Bosh would be gone forever, but still they knew his best days were behind him and they had bigger fish to fry. A reunion makes some sense, but not at Deng's current cost. The cost might even be more than the others, two 1sts with one unprotected. Riley isn't going to do us a favor out of the goodness of his heart.

4) Minnesota. This is actually a possibility. Even with Jimmy Butler in Minnesota, I don't expect them to be a big FA player. There are rumors abound that the Wolves are going to try to make runs at point guards like Lowry and George Hill. This move wouldn't necessarily bar them from making those moves. If the Wolves can clear the salary of Rubio, they'd have roughly 37-38 million to spend. A max deal to Lowry would mean they probably wouldn't have enough room to wiggle Deng in there, but a max deal to Hill (I'm not sure he gets that) would leave maybe enough. The Lakers could trade Deng for Aldrich and Bejelica (we'd likely have to include picks) and that'd mean an added cost of just about six million. It's possible a deal could get done. The reason it won't happen: Cost. Luol's contract is enormous and a growing team like the Wolves probably isn't eager to strap themselves to a veteran, even one the coach is familiar with and that fits a need for the team. Cost: If you're lucky, the cost is only an unprotected 1st round pick going out. This may end up being the lowest cost IF Thibs wants another of his old crew around.

There are a few teams who could use him as a depth piece, but not at his current cost. Teams like San Antonio, Washington, Boston (especially if they trade for George), Orlando, Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, and New Orleans.

 

I think Deng is probably the worst contract we've ever given in terms of what we have gotten out of it. He's absolutely useless. And he's raking it in!!! He was cooked from minute one.

 

The reason I didn't include them is their glut of big guys now. Labissiere, Cauley-Stein, Papagiannis, Koufos, and now Zach Collins as well. Deng at this stage is only a stretch PF, he's not a SF at all.

You're right it's not a terrible fit, but I'm not sure the Kings are looking that way. Hopefully you're right.

 

I'm not taking the chance that he accepts that option and hurts our shot at better players next summer. Not yet anyway.

 

I think whatever assets you needed to use to dump Deng won't be there to dump Koufos so dumping him will still cost something. Teams won't be eager to help the Lakers form their own superteam again. Even dumping an 8 million dollar deal will cost another future 1st.

 

Yeah that's a possibility. They've got a bunch of contracts they'll need to get rid of, but for a team that simply won't attract FAs, they could use a 1st and it's not like their cap is going to someone significant anyway over the next few years.

 

We could buy him out, but whatever he agrees to is still counted against our cap. If you were Luol, would you settle for 27 million over 3 years instead of 54 million? I wouldn't.