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Los Angeles Lakers Report Card: First Quarter Player Grades

By Dominic Torres

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: The Los Angeles Lakers huddle before the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 29, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: The Los Angeles Lakers huddle before the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 29, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 2: Luol Deng #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards during the game on February 2, 2017 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

SF Luol Deng

This is where we begin the actual grading. Although Deng has only played one game, it is important to note of his impact on the team.

I’d love to have Luol Deng on any team. Although he is but a shell of his former self, Deng is more-than-often a menace on defense. His length allows him to switch among forwards, guards, and even centers.

Deng had little impact during his one game against a division rival in the Los Angeles Clippers. He rarely helped the offense as his starting slot moved Ingram to the shooting guard spot.

Unfortunately, Deng played less-than-average defense against Los Angeles Clippers stretch forward Danilo Gallinari. This ultimately led to Deng being removed from the rotation by Head Coach Luke Walton. The former starting-caliber small forward is being left on the bench on a Lakers team that suddenly is no longer need of his services.

It might not be long until Deng ends up on another team via trade. Wasting over $17,000,000 on a rotation player past his prime signals to the new Pelinka-Magic regime that he needs to be either bought out or shipped away to a championship contender.

D-. . SF. Los Angeles Lakers. LUOL DENG

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