NBA
Luol Deng and Lakers Finalize Buyout Via Stretch Provision
The Los Angeles Lakers and Forward Luol Deng are finalizing a buyout via stretch provision according to Shams Charania. The Lakers signed Deng in the 2016 offseason to a four-year, $72 million contract. At the time this deal was signed, the Lakers faced a lot of criticism and rightfully so. The Lakers have been trying to trade Deng for the past two seasons, but no team wanted to take on his contract. Deng had zero desire to be back with the Lakers this season and was confident he would leave this offseason.
The Future of Both Parties
Both Luol Deng and the Lakers have bright futures after this buyout. Deng will still be making his remaining $36 million, and will finally have a chance to play elsewhere. Deng played a total of 13 minutes last season, but can still contribute to a contender. According to NBA.com the Lakers were 1.2 points better per 100 possession with Deng on the floor in the 2016 season. Also, Deng held opponents to 32.2 percent shooting on three-pointers in 2016. Deng has consistently been known as a 3 and D player, and handled the situation with the Lakers organization very professionally. It is easy to forget Deng was a back-to-back All-Star in 2012 as well as 2013. Although Deng will probably never return to his All-Star form, he is definitely still a viable bench option for any NBA team.
This offseason has been one to remember for the Los Angeles Lakers. The only obstacle stopping them from signing another max player next offseason was Luol Deng’s contract. The Lakers still have Deng’s 2018-19 salary on the books as dead money. The stretch will begin in 2019 and Deng will be paid $6.27 million for the next three seasons. Before this stretch provision, the Lakers were projected to have $25 million in cap space next summer. Now that Deng is no longer with the organization, that number will increase to between $36-38 million. This means that the Lakers will now have the cap space to sign another max player next summer in an absolutely loaded free agent class.
