Skip to content

Report: NBA denies Lakers' request to remove Deng's cap hit

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The NBA ruled against the Los Angeles Lakers' request to have former player Luol Deng's cap hit removed from their books, The Athletic's Shams Charania reports.

Los Angeles had reportedly asked for the salary-cap relief last month, attributing the request to what the organization claimed was a career-ending injury.

Deng will now remain on the team's books as a $5-million dead cap hit through the end of the 2021-22 season.

The two-time All-Star was already in serious decline when he signed a four-year, $72-million pact with the Lakers in 2016 and struggled to match the heights he set while playing for the Chicago Bulls.

After a lackluster 2016-17 season, he played in just one game in 2017-18 before reaching a buyout agreement with the Lakers on the remaining terms of his contract.

Deng last appeared in 22 games with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2018-19 before calling it a career.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox