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Lakers' Luol Deng: Likely to start at small forward

Lakers coach Luke Walton confirmed that Deng will likely start at small forward to open the upcoming season, Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Analysis:

Even though he's tentatively penciled in as a starter for the Lakers, who inked him to a four-year, $72 million deal this summer, Deng should see a reduction in the 32.4 minutes per game he averaged with the Heat in 2015-16. With No. 2 overall pick Brandon Ingram and second-year forward Larry Nance both in need of further development, coach Luke Walton figures to find playing time for the duo, which may result in Deng having to sacrifice a few minutes as the season wears on. While Deng's fantasy ceiling is capped as a result, he'll still provide his owners with respectable production in the points, three-pointers and rebounds categories.

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