Lakers: 3 potential trade destinations for Luol Deng

The Los Angeles Lakers gave forward Luol Deng a 4-year, $72 million contract less than a year ago, but here are 3 potential trade destinations for Deng.

In one of the most baffling moves of last summer, the Lakers–for some shocking reason–decided to give the aging former All-Star Luol Deng a four-year, $72 million contract. Even if he was in his prime I’m not sold that I would have given him that much money.

Let’s look the past the amount of money they decided to give him and question why they’d sign him when just days before they drafted their small forward of the future in Brandon Ingram. Throughout the seasonm Deng’s role diminished ever so slightly, eventually to the point in the last month and a half he did not even play.

Luol Deng is a shell of what he once was, but he can still contribute to an array of teams. With that being said, let’s take a look at some realistic destinations for Deng.

Orlando Magic

By the point we all saw the board of the Magic’s front office that had their trade targets for the offseason on it, one of them was Deng. Luol could help the Magic in a few ways.

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One thing Orlando needed throughout the season was consistent bench play; often the bench led to losses that simply should have been wins. Another way that Deng could help the Magic is in a mentor role.

He is one of the most beloved Lakers players in the locker room and is always upbeat, even in his late-season bench-warmer role. With the addition of Deng on the Magic, Aaron Gordon and newly acquired Terrence Ross would have a veteran to lean on and learn from.

Potential Trade:

Lakers Receive: D.J. Augustin, C.J. Watson, Damjan Rudez
Magic Receive: Luol Deng, Houston’s 2017 first-round pick (acquired in Lou Williams trade)

This trade passes muster under the salary cap, according to the ESPN Trade Machine.

Minnesota Timberwolves

This trade scenario would fall into the “logical and possible, but unlikely” category. There were many rumors, all untrue, throughout the season that Minnesota president and head coach Tom Thibodeau wanted to trade for his former player with the Bulls.

If Deng were to be moved to the Wolves, he would assume an immediate bench/mentor role with many future all-stars playing ahead of him. We all know Thibs loves him some Deng, thus we know that he would find him some playing time.

In Minnesota, Luol could thrive; he would no longer have to be the leader of a team. He could take on the option as third or even fourth scorer. This trade would be more of a salary dump than a trade to get any rotation player.

Potential Trade:

Lakers Receive: Nikola Pekovic, Tyus Jones
Wolves Receive: Luol Deng, Corey Brewer, Houston’s 2017 first-round pick (acquired in Lou Williams trade)

This trade works, per the ESPN Trade Machine.

San Antonio Spurs

This is the real dark horse I believe in a trade for Luol Deng. The Spurs have an uncanny ability to turn old NBA players into decent role players, if they put their belief into the system.

With the Spurs, Luol Deng could take on the role of Manu Ginobili, who is set to retire at the end of this season. In this role Deng would be asked play limited minutes and make big-time shots — something he has done often in his career.

Playing for the Spurs would also give Deng something he has yet to accomplish in his playing career, win a championship.

Potential Trade:

Lakers Receive: Danny Green, Dewayne Dedmon, Kyle Anderson
Spurs Receive: Luol Deng, Houston’s 2017 first-round pick (acquired in Lou Williams trade), Denver’s 2018 second-round pick (acquired in trade with Chicago Bulls in July 2016)

This trade is approved by the ESPN Trade Machine.

Next: 5 Free Agents Lakers Could Target

Where do you guys think Luol Deng gets traded this summer, if he even gets traded? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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