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Lakers: 3 Potential Landing Spots for Luol Deng

By Christian Rivas

Dec 22, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Luol Deng (9) looks on during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Luol Deng (9) looks on during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sacramento Kings

Oct 27, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center. The Spurs won the game 102-94. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Golden 1 Center. The Spurs won the game 102-94. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Sacramento Kings’ front office is a mess. Messier than the Lakers’ front office and they literally just exploded it the other day. Like Bruce Willis in “Die Hard with a Vengeance” exploded it. My point is, Sacramento need help and help isn’t on the way.

What is the likelihood the Kings are at the top of any free agent’s list of possible destinations right now? The answer; very few, in any at all. If they’re going to improve their roster, they’re going to do it through trades.

Sure, Buddy Hield could work out and yeah, their late-lottery pick could be a sleeper superstar, but those are two huge risks. When you’re a team as bad as Sacramento, risks are the last thing you want. The team needs stability and/or a veteran player with no criminal record to mentor their young players. Enter, Luol Deng.

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Deng is one of the most heralded character guys in the NBA. His veteran presence would provide a much needed calming presence to a team on fire right now. One other thing that makes Deng attractive to the Kings is his contract, which is something I didn’t think I’d be saying ever.

The four-year, $72 million contract Deng signed this past summer is weighing heavy on the Lakers, but for a team with virtually no chance at signing players of Deng’s caliber in free agency, his contract is wonderful. All they would have to do in return is dump a contract they were planning on getting rid of anyway.

Before Rudy Gay ruptured his Achilles tendon at the beginning of the year, he was being shopped by the Kings. While he can still be traded, the value they would get back for him would be very little. This would be the best and only trade for the Kings and they should do it.

Why? Because Deng is the hero Sacramento deserves. Also, I just really want that contract gone. Erased from history forever. Please.

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But what do you guys think? Are any of these trades realistic? Does Deng need a change of scenery? Let us know in the comments below!

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