The Lakers and Luol Deng agreed to a buyout earlier this week, which will allow Los Angeles the ability to offer a top free agent a max contract next offseason. Adrian Wojnarowski reports (via Twitter) that the final figure on what Deng agreed to give up in the agreement came out to $7.3MM, slightly less than what was previously reported.
The Lakers are projected to have approximately $38MM in cap space next offseason, enough to be a major player in the market. While we wait to see if the team makes any other moves, let’s check out some notes from their rivals in the Western Conference:
- The Suns are not interested in George Hill, Ashish Mathur of Amico Hoops reports. Phoenix traded away Brandon Knight over the weekend and has made inquiries on a few veteran options.
- The Mavericks lost Doug McDermott in free agency, but Ryan Broekhoff, who signed a multiyear, minimum-salary deal with Dallas, may be a suitable replacement for the former first-round pick, Eddie Sefko of Sports Day writes. The Mavericks need all the shooters they can get, Sefko adds, so Broekhoff may find himself getting some playing time as the season goes along.
- The Rockets and Clint Capela took some time to arrive at their five-year, $80MM+ deal but many of the team’s prominent members never doubted that the big man would return, as they tell Kelly Iko of The Athletic. “Oh, we’re not worried about stuff like that,” head coach Mike D’Antoni said of Capela possible slipping away. When James Harden was asked if he was concerned about Capela leaving, he replied “Nah.”
T.J. Warren to replace LeBron plus Darrell Arthur for George Hill to replace Brandon Knight does work on the trade machine. Think I read this on Hoops Hype.
Suns are running out of options. I do like Paladins offer of Bucks 1st round pick for Lonzo. I’d guess Bucks are offering Matthew Delavadova. Suns tried to get Malcom Brogdon in Eric Bledsoe trade last year. With Bucks drafting Donte Vincenzo they might get him this year.
Teams might have more interest in Hill if he was still making the $8MM the Pacers signed him to. Sacramento goofed signing Hill to the $19MM contract.
Lakers if they are gonna sign a big FA next summer, they have to go for a SG or a center, they have already Ball at the PG & with Ingram, LBJ & Kuzma they don’t need anymore wings. I really hope if DMC is healthy, he is the one they go for. But if not as a secondary options they could try Klay (don’t think it will happen) or Butler.
Wrong! KD Or Kawhi!