Los Angeles Lakers: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrati during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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Magic finds a taker for Luol Deng‘s contract

Even higher on Magic’s to-do list is unloading Luol Deng’s albatross of a contract. Scheduled to make an average of $18 million over the next three years (via Spotrac.com), the veteran forward is coming off an underwhelming 2016-17 campaign plagued by injury.

So not only is Deng costing the Lakers a boatload of money, but he’s giving them near nothing in return. Hence, Johnson will be making every effort between now and next offseason to find a taker. Unfortunately, it’s likely going to cost Los Angeles more than it would like to part with — similar to the Timofey Mozgov deal with the Brooklyn Nets.

Then again, maybe that’s how they land a first round pick as previously mentioned. I’m sure there are at least a couple of teams willing to take on that contract if it means landing a player like Randle or Clarkson. If a pick gets thrown in to help even out the deal, then so be it.

Either way, the important part is getting Deng and that ridiculous cap figure off the books. Chances are the Lakers are going to do whatever it takes to make that happen, seeing as the endgame is to land a couple of superstars in 2018. That may not occur if Deng’s money is still restricting Los Angeles financially when free agency begins.

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