Lakers Free Agency: LA Signs Luol Deng For 4-Years, $72 Million
By Eric Yee
Saturday morning, the Los Angeles Lakers signed Luol Deng to a 4-year, $72 million contract
The Lakers were the first team to make a move to begin free agency, signing Cleveland Cavaliers’ big man, Timofey Mozgov to a 4-year, $64 million deal. The front office made it clear that signing a center was their top priority though they might consider a guard to back up their two young studs moving forward.
On Saturday morning, the Lakers decided to address another lingering issue, the gaping hole they have had at small forward for what seems like the past decade, signing Luol Deng for four years, $72 million. The 11th year veteran averaged 13.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per 36 minutes last year with the Miami Heat which is comparable to his normal season averages.
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This signing becomes confusing, however, when you realize that Luol plays the same position as rookie, Brandon Ingram and will be expected to do similar things: serve as a 3-and-D small forward.
According to RealGM, Ingram will likely be moved to the bench, but I’m not completely sold on that deduction seeing how the team saw how Byron Scott mismanaged his young players’ minute and quickly moved on from him.
"With a probable starting lineup of D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Timofey Mozgov to go with Deng, he’ll start at the 3 but will slide up to the 4 when he plays with Brandon Ingram. The Lakers’ version of the Death Lineup, maybe called the Menace Lineup, of Russell, Clarkson, Ingram, Deng and Randle could be feisty at times and certainly will be entertaining."
It has become more than apparent that the Lakers and Luke Walton are fully devoted to following the Golden State Warriors’ guide to success, but we’ve seen copycat schemes fail before so it’ll be interesting to see who they select to fill out the rest of their roster.
Personally, I would’ve loved to see this signing two or three years ago, in order to get Kobe Bryant some much needed help on both ends of the floor, but beggars can’t be choosers.
Next: Lakers Front Office Baffles With Mozgov Signing
Stay tuned for a more in depth grade of the Luol Deng deal.