https://sports.yahoo.com/report-luol-deng-lakers-working-012138593.html The 32 year old Luol Deng wants out of LA because of lack of playing time. He could start for us. But the Lakers would prefer to move his 18 million per contract for ending contracts by attaching a young player. (i.e Randall) We can't help there, but maybe if they find no takers they would settle for players they can move next summer? He is not the player he was, but he would help us short term IMO. Still a good 3 and D small forward. Note: I see I left the l off his name in the thread title....can a Mod add it?
You would not add a bad contract you would be substituting for a different one. Same as we wanted to do for Melo. But this time it is for a SF who can still play D and has a high BBQ IQ. And the "no reason" would be for a starting SF. Who do we have that is better?
No. While Harkless has his shortcomings, he is better than Luol at this point in their careers, and cheaper. Getting rid of Meyers is a great idea, but not at the expense of losing Harkless for an old broken down expensive player. Let the Lakers eat that contract.
There is zero market for Deng. They're going to have to give something up to get rid of him, which they won't do unless LBJ agrees to sign with them.
If he is broken down then Ok I agree. But I do see parts of most Laker games living here in LA, and he was playing very well last January and February before they shut him down for the tank job.
ET & Harkless are both at the very least equals to Deng in terms of talent. So no thank you. The only way I make the deal is if the Lakers include an unprotected future first. Being that I don't think they have any of those to offer. No thank you.
Exactly there is no point in this hypothetical because he’s nothing to keep around and we aren’t winning the title this year
Maybe. I was never been on the Deng bandwagon in the past when we used to have a thread about him every year, because I always felt what we had was just as good. (i.e Batum) But right now I have very little confidence in our small forwards. And after watching him last year I was surprised at how well he was still playing. The guy, was a 2 time all star and all NBA defensive team player. Is he now? Of course not, but I still would take him with his experience and defensive IQ over Harkless and Leonard. Unless we can trade for a better option. Can we? I see Deng as a stop gap for 2 years while we draft a SF and groom him. It's not like I am suggesting we give up future talent for him. What do we lose? (Unless he gets hurt and then we are fucked) We just need about 24 minutes a game from him. I think some of you think because he isn't' playing..... that he can't still play as well as he did. I admit injuries are a concern with older players so I am not completely sold on it either. But skill wise.....I would make it happen.