Los Angeles Lakers: Early bold predictions for 2018 offseason

3. Lakers stretch Luol Deng to create cap space

Originally, I wanted to predict that Luol Deng got traded. However, I just don’t see that happening, even when working with a “bold” mindset. No one is going to take on that contract to help the Lakers return to relevance.

So they take the next logical step and stretch the remainder of his contract over the next five years, significantly lowering his cap hit for the 2018-19 season. It’s not ideal considering the impact will be felt for years to come, but it gives Magic and co. more financial flexibility for now.

Honestly, this charade just needs to end already. Deng was one of the biggest free agency mistakes in recent NBA history. They gave him a shot to earn his keep during his first season in Los Angeles, but he’s been a complete non-factor in 2017-18. If he remained on the roster next year, he’d undoubtedly make a similar impact (which equates to zero).

Magic will give it one more go to find a trade partner between now and July 1. Getting a deal done, however, will cost the Lakers too much to make it worth it. So they suck it up, stretch his contract, and put Jim Buss’ parting gift in the rearview mirror.