Luol Deng's time with the Los Angeles Lakers is coming to an end. According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the two sides are " finalizing a contract buyout " that will pave the way for Deng to become an unrestricted free agent.
Sides have been working on parting ways on remaining two years and $36.8M on Deng’s contract and reached agreement, allowing him to enter free agency. https://t.co/Oj0Sl6JFep
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 1, 2018
Deng signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Lakers in the summer of 2016, when the NBA's cap spiked by more than $20 million. The two-time All-Star has played in 57 games for the franchise since, including only one appearance last season.
Deng leaves Los Angeles with averages of 7.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game in a Lakers uniform. While he's not the player he once was, the 33-year-old recently told Stuart Hess of IOL that he still wants to play and "be a part of something."
With two years and $36.8 million remaining on Deng's contract, ESPN's Bobby Marks estimates that the Lakers will have around $37 million in cap space next season once his buyout is complete, which will be enough for them to offer another max contract.