NBA Trade Rumors: 5 bold predictions before 2018 deadline

3. Lakers find a taker for Luol Deng

Generally, it’s assumed this isn’t going to happen. The Lakers have been trying since last season to find someone willing to take on Luol Deng’s $18 million annually over the next three years (including 2017-18). Well, Magic Johnson‘s luck is about to change.

As we’ve seen in the past, the former Lakers superstar can be rather persuasive. He convinced the Brooklyn Nets to take on Timofey Mozgov‘s contract last offseason, so it’s not out of the question to think he could find a sucker to acquire Deng’s albatross of a contract.

In fact, that’s what I’m boldly predicting will happen. There aren’t a ton of teams with the cap space to make it happen. However, as I’ve previously discussed, the Dallas Mavericks seem like an ideal landing spot for the aging forward.

The Lakers get Nerlens Noel and Josh McRoberts (two expiring contracts) for Julius Randle, Deng and a 2020 first round pick. It’s a win-win for both parties, as Los Angeles clears cap space and Dallas adds an intriguing young piece while stockpiling draft picks for the future. The Mavericks have cap space, so they can afford to take on Deng’s ugly deal.

Convincing Mark Cuban to agree to this won’t be easy. If there’s one guy who can sway the shark to say yes, though, it’s Johnson.