The Los Angeles Lakers' two major free-agent acquisitions from last summer reportedly won't see the floor for the remainder of the 2016-17 season.
Along with center Timofey Mozgov, the team has decided to shut down veteran forward Luol Deng and give his playing time to its younger players, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
The 31-year-old was reportedly comfortable with the decision after meeting with head coach Luke Walton over the past several weeks.
The Lakers have apparently left the door open to reconsider the move over the final 15 games, but the plan is for Deng and Mozgov to no longer play.
Deng inked a four-year, $72-million contract with the organization after spending the prior two seasons in South Beach with the Miami Heat. He last suited up for the Lakers on Feb. 26 in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs, playing 12 minutes and failing to register a point coming off the bench.
Starting 49 of 56 games this season, he has averaged a career-low 7.6 points on 38.6 percent shooting, along with 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.9 steals, in 26.5 minutes.
Los Angeles sits dead last in the Western Conference with a 20-47 record, winning just one game in its last 11 outings. The team owes its 2017 first-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers, which is top-three protected.
