Los Angeles Lakers: Luol Deng’s global effort not bound by hardwood

Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Luol Deng did not work out on the court, but he should be praised for his off-court work.

Former Los Angeles Lakers’ forward Luol Deng has signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves for about $2.4 million dollars (1-year), a report stated by The Athletic.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski had tweeted earlier that Deng had met with Timberwolves president Tom Thibodeau and was finalizing a deal.

In 2016, the Lakers refrained from wasting time as they dipped into the free agent basket. After missing out on players like Hassan Whiteside and Andre Drummond, and being shunned by All-Star Kevin Durant, the list of players the Lakers vied interest in was shortening.

Kobe Bryant had just retired, and the Lakers needed to make a splash. So, they signed Timofey Mozgov — 4 years, $64 million, and Luol Deng — 4 years, $72 million.

Lakers fans saw those signings not so much as a splash, but a light drizzling. Not nearly enough to wash away the depressing emotions felt as Bryant left the stage.

The Mozgov and Deng signings left fans thinking, “What the hell is Kupchak thinking?” Mitch Kupchak, then the general manager of the Lakers, needed to spend that money somewhere.

Unloading hundreds of millions of dollars to pay for NBA talent didn’t sound tough to do, yet it was. Durant and Al Horford wouldn’t give the Lakers a chance like LaMarcus Aldridge did the year before. Many free agents re-upped with their prospective teams, as former Lakers player Dwight Howard managed to jump his rocketship, continuing his tour of the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks.

In two seasons time, Mozgov was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, while Deng, inching closer to his mid-30s, watched a whole season waste away. Last season, many demanded that Deng be unloaded — through trade or buyout — in order to create cap space to acquire free agents.

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The reports of Deng signing with the Timberwolves puts an end of an extensive struggle for the two-time NBA All-Star, who had played only one professional NBA game in past 19 months. Deng, a 15-year veteran, can hopefully bring some leadership on the court to a promising, yet struggling, Timberwolves core.

It’s clear that Deng feels he can still contribute to an NBA franchise. Stuart Hess of IOL quoted Deng saying,

"“I want to play, I want to be apart of something, but im not going to be a part of a place where you don’t believe in me…I’ve taken every opportunity since day one and proven myself…”"

While finding success in the NBA as an All-Star and once earning NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors (2012), Deng showcases a more impressive resume off the court.

In 2014, Deng was awarded the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his continued humanitarian efforts and foundations pivoted towards urging peace in his native land in South Sudan. He has also launched the Luol Deng Foundation.

As stated on the website, the foundation “is a non-profit organization that uses basketball as a tool to give hope to those in Africa, USA,   and the UK.”

Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Plain Dealer shares Deng’s wisdom through a public service announcement saying,

"“Look around you, and reach out. Make peace among those who are fighting. Forgive one another and encourage others to forgive…It is not too late to start, but it is not too soon either.”"

Deng’s efforts, which includes collaborating with the UN Refugee Agency, has touched lives in various communities in the United Kingdom and the United States. Within camps, clinics, events and programs, his foundation has aided communities with positive leadership, advice, coaching, and mentorship.

Humanitarian efforts by Lakers’ players have been a constant in the past. Pau Gasol, one of Spain’s most successful people, has supported and given back to foundations such as UNICEF, WildAid, and the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory. Former Lakers great, Shaquille O’Neal, is also known for his donations to various charities and foundations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Free the Children, and the Kids Wish Network to name a few.

Most recently, LeBron James, who the Lakers acquired without having to buyout Deng at the time, opened up a public school in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. Third and fourth-grade students will attend the I Promise School, a public school created for at-risk students.

Like LeBron James, Deng, who has elevated communities in cities he played for can now spread his selfless ambition to another city of the NBA.

While being sidelined for close to two years, Deng made it clear that he would need to be in the best shape of his life at age 33. NBA media reports this quote by Deng saying,

"“I don’t want something to happen and I’m called upon but my shape holds me back. The challenge is to challenge yourself to be in better shape than if I was playing. Then if I fall short I’m still in good shape.”"

This coming off the heels of the NBA Africa Game that took place on August 4th. Team World defeated Team Africa 96 -92, but the game was more about NBA stars, current and past, to promote Basketball Without Borders — an initiative aiming to inspire Africa and other countries and to support the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

A stellar professional in the NBA, Deng has achieved gratifying success with communities across the globe. Using basketball as a tool, Deng has helped kids and young adults by bringing communities together and urging not to destroy one another.

Although most of his time spent here as a Laker didn’t translate to success on the court, Deng’s profound commitment to the world and humanitarian efforts could not be bound by the NBA hardwood.

Behalf of all Lakers fans across the world, including us in Los Angeles, thank you, Luol. Good luck in Minnesota — the Land of 10,000 Lakes.