Lakers Rumors: No ‘Immediate Plan’ For Open Roster Spot After Luol Deng Buyout

Dan Duangdao
2 Min Read
Darrell Ann-LakersNation.com

After only appearing in 57 games over the last two seasons, Luol Deng was bought out via the stretch provision by the Los Angeles Lakers.

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As Deng’s role quickly diminished in his first season, all the attention was naturally on his four-year, $72 million deal. While his production did not come anywhere close to his contract, the NBA’s new television deal and increased spending power impacted the decision-making process for most teams in 2016.

Along with remaining a professional during this situation, Deng is said to have ultimately given up $7.5 million in the buyout.

With Deng becoming a free agent, it is currently unclear what the Lakers will do with the open roster spot, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN:

Heading into the 2018-19 NBA season, the Lakers could use another center, but there are not too many options at this stage of the offseason. With the Lakers only having JaVale McGee, Ivica Zubac and Moritz Wagner, LeBron James is expected to play center in certain situations.

As Deng is hopeful of signing with another team, the Lakers will officially be players once again in 2019 free agency. Armed with a projected $38 million in cap space, the Lakers have already been linked to Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard as Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Kyrie Irving will be free agents as well.

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Dan Duangdao was the managing editor at Lakers Nation (2013-16, 2018-20). He is currently the founder at LA Sports Media, Lake Show, Raiders Nation, Rams Nation, Kings Nation, Galaxy Nation, and MMA Rumors. Born and raised in Southern California and a lifelong Los Angeles sports and mixed martial arts fan, his first NBA game was Kobe Bryant and the Lakers against the Golden State Warriors with Michael Jordan in attendance during the 1998-99 NBA season. He was previously a contributor at HOOPSWORLD (now Basketball Insiders) and an NBA editor at ClutchPoints. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @DanDuangdao.
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