Los Angeles Lakers: Predicting 3 players who won’t be around in 2018

Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images /

Luol Deng, SF/PF

If this prediction comes true, Magic will win Executive of the Year by default. Finding a taker for Luol Deng’s $18 million annually over the next three years seems impossible, so pulling it off would be nothing short of a miracle.

And yet, if anyone’s going to do it, it’s Johnson. He already found a taker for Timofey Mozgov‘s horrendous deal this offseason, though it did them D’Angelo Russell. More than likely, pulling off a rare feat like that again is going to cost the Lakers even more assets. Regardless, it’s a move that must be made to clear the way for them to win 2018 free agency.

The way I see it going down is the Lakers tossing in prospects and draft compensation for an expiring contract. Think of the Lopez trade from this offseason, albeit much more lopsided. The receiving team gets something like Deng, Nance, Tyler Ennis and a 2020 first round pick (and more?). In return, the Lakers get an expiring contract and maybe a second round pick to soften the blow.

It’s unfortunate, but it’s what needs to be done. Magic must clear up the final black eye remaining from Buss’ offseason of terror. If it helps Los Angeles land a duo of LeBron James and Paul George next year, it’ll be well worth the hassle.

Next: 5 Best Lakers players to never win a ring

The odds seem stacked against the Lakers finding someone willing to take on Deng’s contract. Then again, the odds were stacked against Los Angeles keeping its pick this offseason as well. Instead, the NBA Draft Lottery dropped Ball into their laps. Magic has changed this franchise’s future — trading Deng is just the next momentous step in the process.