The Los Angeles Lakers could explore a deal before the trade deadline involving veteran forward Luol Deng.
The Lakers are in the midst of another disappointing season, with the team once again at the bottom of the standings. Any deal may not make sense for LA at this point, but letting go of Deng, who signed a four-year $72 million contract with the Lakers this past summer, could be a potential move before the February 23 deadline.
It is unclear whether the Lakers would consider trading Deng, who is only averaging 8.0 points a game on 39.0 shooting from the field. But considering his subpar contributions for Los Angeles this season, the team could be better off not having the 31-year-old small forward's huge contract.
According to Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report, one of the possible scenarios the Lakers could explore for Deng is sending him to the Sacramento Kings for Ben McLemore, Rudy Gay and two second-round picks.
"Deng is already overpaid for his production, and the aging curve will only exacerbate that issue in the final three years of his current deal. But he's a name, and the Kings are devoted to winning in the short term. This is the kind of head-scratching move that fits their brand," Hughes wrote.
The Kings are still in the hunt to end their postseason drought, with the team currently sitting at 10th place in the West and just two games behind No. 8 Denver Nuggets. But it would be difficult for Sacramento to crack into the playoff picture without Gay, who is out for the rest of the season after tearing his left Achilles earlier this year. Adding Deng would give the Kings a steady veteran presence, who could help on both ends of the floor and fill the void left by Gay.
For the Lakers, acquiring Gay's expiring contract would help them clear cap space to chase top players in free agency, while McLemore would provide them a two-way shooting guard that fits well in Luke Walton's schemes. McLemore also fits the Lakers' youth movement, although it remains to be seen whether LA would have any interest in acquiring the 24-year-old.
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