After playing in just one game last year for the Los Angeles Lakers, Luol Deng’s time in the NBA may be ending.
Recent Los Angeles Lakers news has largely revolved around LeBron James and the way his presence will change the team. However, there is a rumor floating around about another forward on the roster.
There appears to be a strong probability Luol Deng may never play basketball again.
Assuming the rumors are accurate, it would be a not so ideal end to Deng’s career. A two-time All-Star, the 6-foot-9 ballplayer never played remotely close to that level while in Los Angeles.
In his first year as a Laker, Deng by far had the worst season of his professional career. He averaged just 7.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per night.
Despite that, things grew worse for the Sudanese product in 2017-2018. Deng played just 13 minutes on opening night for the Lakers, and never saw a second of action thereafter.
Thus, the following scoop from Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus seems to be all the more logical. The report derives from an anonymous source within the Lakers organization.
"“Could Luol Deng be a stopgap as a small center after sitting out most of last season?The executive said Deng is all but semi-retired. He may never play again in the NBA unless he has a change of heart.”"
Deng being “semi-retired” seems to be the more likely case out of the two possibilities. Even as the 2016-2017 season progressed, the former Bull’s playing time decreased.
The veteran’s NBA career took a turn for the worst in 2017-2018, though, due to what Harrison Faigen of SB Nation argues.
The L.A. Lakers had (and still have) multiple young assets competing for roles in the frontcourt. Consequently, Deng became the odd man out. Giving him minutes simply would not have been feasible.
At this precise interval (let alone James), Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma are well ahead of Deng on the frontcourt depth chart.
It is unfortunate because Deng’s first year in L.A. has dictated so much of his current predicament. The man just did not perform at an acceptable level. In this city especially, getting away with that is impossible.
Nevertheless, it is important to bear in mind the contract books as well. Two years ago, the player was signed to a lucrative four-year, $72 million contract.
That being said, things from the get-go were already looking bleak. Those numbers were never too justified. Frankly, it appeared to be more of a desperation move than anything at the time.
The Lakers are certainly paying for the questionable decision to this day. Deng is owed another $36 plus million over the next two seasons. That is a rather generous sum for a guy whose career is likely over.
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If the positives are considered, it has been tough to question the 33-year-old’s professionalism. Per Faigen, the semi-retired Laker is still in shape and served as a mentor to the team’s young core last season. It is difficult to not respect that.
Of course, though, it is easy to continue to analyze the ludicrous amount of money he is making. Via Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation, a lot could have been done this summer with an extra $18 million in cap room. There is no denying that.
Alas, Luol Deng’s contract is nearly immovable. It makes sense that no other ball club would be willing to have him on their roster unless one scenario transpired.
According to Danny Small of ClutchPoints, the Lakers’ brass would have to include serious pieces in a deal to unload Luol. While giving up Deng is desirable, Small’s hypothetical does not sound too lovely. It would make the Lakers a much weaker squad.
On that note, the Lakers would theoretically be doing the other team just as big of a favor. Therefore, trading Deng is not the best move L.A. could make.
In tune with what Lane writes, a better option would be stretching out his contract. It would not totally rid the Lakers of his big contract. In spite of that, it would grant them with greater financial flexibility because they could give the forward less money per year over a longer period of time.
No matter what happens, Deng has some reason to be happy. For the time being, it looks like he will still be on the team’s roster and receive his paychecks albeit he may never return to the hardwood.
Not playing surely hurts to a large degree. However, knowing that the pockets are not going to be empty anytime soon is probably not too shabby of a feeling. At least that is a plus to take into account—for Deng, anyway.