There is also the issue of what Johnson and Pelinka will do about Luol Deng. He was paid over $17 million to play in just one game this year! He’s still owed close to $39 million for the next two seasons, and no team has yet shown any realistic interest in trading for him.
It’s really a shame because Deng is a good guy who has handled the situation with utmost grace. In the right system, he might still be a productive player.
Waiving and stretching Deng’s contract now makes good sense only if they need more salary cap room. Perhaps Magic and Rob could instead package Deng with, say, Zubac and a future draft pick in exchange for another team’s bad one-year contract? Maybe they take him out of mothballs and try to play him next season? Or will they just grit their teeth and try to go through yet another year like this one?
It will certainly be an interesting off-season for the Lakers and their fans. Johnson, Pelinka and Walton are off on retreat to strategize about it. The rest of us are left to speculate and wonder.
Next: Lakers 2017-18 Regular Season Team Awards
What do you think the Lakers should do? Let us know in the comments below!