[EndlessknightParticipant]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24544880/luol-deng-los-angeles-lakers-reach-agreement-buyout

Not sure why they would do it now.

[RUDEBOY-Participant]

 Becuz the Lakers waited until 9-1-18 or later, they have all of Deng’s 18 million for this season as dead money on the books. Then have 6.27 million on the books for 2019-20 through 2021-22 as part of of the stretch provision. 

[RUDEBOY-Participant]

 Reports say he will sign with T Wolves. The move Kupchak & Jim Buss signing him and Mozgov to those Outrageous deals puzzled me at the time.

[ChewyParticipant]

Tibs thinks it is still 2009 and that he can win with his Bulls players who never made a final in their primes. 

[cohenbc1Participant]

They can probably pick up Noah for cheap pretty soon too, if the Knicks buy him out.

Carlos Boozer, are you listening? Come out of retirement and sign with the T-Wolves!

 

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

If you were Minnesota and could have Luol Deng for the veteran’s minimum or Deng Adel for the rookie minimum, who do you think would be more helpful? I don’t think there really needs to be any deeper meaning in a move. It is like Houston inserting Melo into Ryan Anderson’s role. People get caught up in the name and history, but for the price and role it is probably a good idea.

 

[The GoatParticipant]

 The Pelicans should actually sign him. They badly need a 3 and have had no flexibility to get anyone. Even if he’s done, he is ok in the locker room and can give effective 10-12 mins 

[CynthiaParticipant]

I agree, if anyone needs a SF it’s the Pelicans. Dante Cunningham & Darius Miller took most of the starts at the 3, with Solomon Hill injured (not even good anyway). E’Twaun Moore being their starting SG made them probably the worst team in the league at the wing positions.

I doubt Deng could/would play 40 mins a game like he used to, but a solid 20 and just rotate in the other guys can’t hurt.

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 Deng can still be a useful bench guy giving 15 to 20mpg if needed to any team he signs for.

I never understood the Lakers giving long term deals to Mosgov and Deng with no team option or partial guarantee.

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Yea. I don’t think anyone understood that besides Mitch kupchak maybe. 

[Andv1 WaitingParticipant]

 T-wolves- I would like Thibs to role a bench/lineup  out of Noah,Taj,Deng,Butler and Rose out as that would be crazy to watch seeing the chemistry those guys have would help them when Towns or Wiggins don’t have it going …Plus if they develop their rookies proper with Butler and Deng they maybe to have an even deeper team or Deng maybe able to reach Towns or Wiggins with Thibs message(assuming Thibs and Butlers is failing).

or

 

OKC it would be kind of Nice seeing Deng play with us off the bench and playing a stabilizing role for them and being able to spell P.G for at least 10 mins a night wouldn’t hurt… Who knows he could maybe even start at P.F spot if he is balls out at training camp.

 

[r377Participant]

 It would be the 2012 chicago bulls all over again, getting knocked out in the first round of the playoffs.

Except this time they are all older with more miles on their bodies, plus they have that overpaid chucker in Wiggins…

 

[ChewyParticipant]

do reunion tours decades after they were popular. NBA players… not so much. 

[HitsterParticipant]

Deng hasn’t really played since March 2017, so we don’t know what he really still has to offer. Although he is still only 33, he has been in the NBA since 2004 so has a far few miles on the clock.

But for veteran’s minimum I’d think a few contenders would have a good look at him as he’s a good character guy or even a young team who wanted a good veteran presence. But I’d think Luol would want to be on a relevant team.

He apparently gave back $7.5 million from his buy out too.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

The way in which the Lakers effectively stated that he is done might impact how other teams view him. While I have all the respect in the world for Magic and Rob Pelinka, and how they have now positioned the Lakers, it does feel as though they asked Deng to be a good guy and not complain about their desire to get minutes for their young guys and then cast him aside as being washed up once LeBron arrived. It is possible Deng is done. It is also possible that a mini sabbatical was not the worst thing in the world for a guy with twelve years of heavy minutes on his body, and that he can still be more or less who he was in Miami a couple years ago. It is impossible to know for sure. That said, I would bet on him over Deng Adel. I would bet on him over Kevin Looney or Jonas Jerebko. I think Toronto would make some sense as well.

[r377Participant]

 Would he go ring chasing in GS ?

I heard David West just retired…

 

[tblazer_NZParticipant]

Could Houston be an option too? They need a defensive minded 3/4. Portland could also do with a playoff hardened vet on the wing. Olshay promised to get a wing with playoff experience and he has completely whiffed on that so far. Portland would need to create a roster spot for him though.

[HitsterParticipant]

 Houston would be a legit option I agree. He’d be on a top team and the likes of Harden and CP3 would like Deng’s character and experience around.

If David West is done then GSW would seem another natural fit.

 

[Author]

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