32-year-old forward Luol Deng is seeking a trade or buyout from the Los Angeles Lakers, reports ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne:
Deng said he and his agent, Jeff Austin from Octagon sports management, have been working with the Lakers to resolve the situation, either via trade or buyout. He understands it may take weeks, months or even years to settle, as he has two years and nearly $37 million remaining on his contract after this season.
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A Lakers source confirmed that the team has met with Deng’s representatives to find a solution, via trade or buyout, that would allow him the opportunity to play more.
Deng has completely fallen out of the rotation as the Lakers are playing their young guys. Even with Larry Nance Jr. having broken his hand, those minutes are going to rookie Kyle Kuzma instead of Deng.
Deng knows it is what it is, but that doesn’t mean he feels good about the situation:
“It definitely hurts,” Deng told ESPN on Monday after the Lakers practiced. “But the only answer for me now is to prove myself away from L.A. I’m not asked to play, I’m not in the rotation, so I can’t prove myself here.
“Most of these young guys don’t understand the business of basketball, so if I come in here and I’m angry every day, I’m taking something away from them. I have to be smiling, I have to be in the best mood I can be in, because they’re living their dream of being an NBA player.”
Deng says that he has appreciated head coach Luke Walton’s honesty throughout the process.
Last season, Deng started in 49 games for the Lakers before eventually being shut down for the season (not due to injury). This time around, Deng has appeared in just one of the Lakers’ 10 games. He played 13 minutes in that game, scoring two points.
