The Los Angeles Lakers’ 5 Worst Contracts Heading Into 2016-17

SF Luol Deng

The Lakers had to spend money on someone this offseason, so they didn’t hold back when they decided to sign Luol Deng. I’m all for adding veteran leadership and proven scoring potential to such a young roster, but paying $72 million for a 31-year-old seems a bit excessive.

The reason I didn’t like this signing is because it pays too much money for a player who’s only going to eat into the minutes of the Lakers’ rising stars. With Deng in the mix, Brandon Ingram will likely be forced into less minutes.

It could eat into Julius Randle‘s minutes since Deng can act as a stretch-4, which means Larry Nance Jr.‘s value also takes a hit.

Deng has been fairly durable over the years, and can still contribute significant production. He averaged 12.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists with the Miami Heat last season, but continues to watch age chip away at his effectiveness.

The four-year deal he signed makes Deng the ninth-highest paid small forward in the NBA. Even if he duplicates his totals from a year ago, I would say that’s not worth the price of admission.

Especially with the minutes it’ll take from players like Ingram, Randle and Nance, I don’t think this was a good deal for the Lakers.

Next: The Lakers' Biggest Offseason Mistake