The Los Angeles Lakers fully intend to part ways with veteran forward Luol Deng when given the right opportunity. Deng wants to continue playing and will only get the chance on another NBA squad since he's fallen out of the rotation in Los Angeles.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, finding a way to trade Deng has been extremely difficult considering the massive amount of money he's due over the next two seasons. That being said, the Lakers brass would have to sweeten the deal with other assets in order to move the journeyman, but it appears the team won't be adding a first-round draft pick, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.
Unlike the Mozgov trade that cost L.A. 2015 No. 2 pick D'Angelo Russell, the Lakers will not take that approach with Deng. Sources close to the team told ESPN that they will not attach a first-round pick to the Deng contract to shed his salary. Starting in 2019, the Lakers will be in control of their own first-round picks (the 2018 first is owed to Philly or Boston) and attaching multiple firsts to shed Deng's contract would be reckless.
With the Los Angeles unwilling to part with a first-round draft pick or another young asset like Russell, it'll be interesting to see how things pan out with Deng's situation in Los Angeles.
The Lakers are planning for their long-term future and are expected to be busy during the NBA offseason this summer as they attempt to lure in superstar-caliber players. The team could target LeBron James, Paul George or DeMarcus Cousins to play alongside Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Brandon Ingram in Los Angeles.
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