Los Angeles Lakers: Top 3 trade candidates before 2018 deadline

Luol Deng, SF

Here it is — the lingering black eye from the Jim Buss/Mitch Kupchak regime.

If the Lakers plan on making waves during 2018 free agency, they need to find a way to unload Luol Deng and the three years/$54 million left on his contract. They already managed to find a taker for Mozgov’s pathetic deal, but it cost them D’Angelo Russell. Doing the same for Deng isn’t going to be any easier.

More than likely, it’ll include parting ways with someone like Randle or a first round pick. For your information, the Lakers parted with their 2018 first round pick as a result of keeping the selection that landed them Ball.  That means it would have to be a first round pick from 2020 or later if draft compensation came into the equation.

As long as the price is reasonable, though, the Lakers need to get it done. Unloading Deng’s contract will give them all of the financial flexibility they need next offseason, allowing them the cap space to sign superstars such as LeBron James and Paul George. It’s a tall order, but Magic appears up for the task.

Next: Ambitious free agent targets for Lakers in next 3 years

Next offseason will be a turning point for the Lakers. Johnson and Pelinka know this all too well. That’s why I’m confident they’ll do whatever is needed to put themselves in position to become a contender overnight. That is, as long as it doesn’t completely gut their roster.