The Los Angeles Lakers have reached an agreement with free-agent forward Luol Deng on a four-year, $72-million contract, sources told Shams Charania of The Vertical.
The deal carries no options and is fully guaranteed, according to Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News.
Having missed out on their top target, Kent Bazemore (who elected to stay with the Atlanta Hawks for less money), the Lakers quickly pivoted to yet another versatile swingman in Deng.
The 31-year-old is coming off a strong season with the Miami Heat in which, for the first time in his career, his primary position was power forward. Deng held up just fine defending fours, while also seeing plenty of time checking small forwards. His defensive versatility is a tremendous asset, giving teams the ability to play small when needed.
Deng projects to be a nice fit for a young Lakers team in need of stable leadership and steady production from the wing. However, his age puts him out of the timeline of the team's budding core. Deng's contract will have likely run its course once the likes of D'Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram start to make good on their potential.
Related: Fantasy Fallout: Deng will be the tide that raises the Lakers' young ships
Nevertheless, the move makes the Lakers better in the short term, and it still leaves the team with another $27 million in cap room to continue their offseason makeover.
Deng averaged 12.3 points, six rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 34.4 percent from the field in 74 appearances last season.
