The Lakers have released a statement that F Luol Deng had surgery to repair his right pectoral muscle on Wednesday. Per the release, the surgery was a success and Deng is expected to be ready for training camp. All of which is good news.
Unlike every other player, Deng did not have a post-exit interview media session so this is the first I’d heard of Deng having a pectoral issue. That, combined with Deng being shut down for the final 22 games of the season gives us an incomplete picture of how long he was hurt, how it occurred, or the true severity of it all. Clearly it was serious enough to be repaired surgically, but the Lakers’ release gives us little more than a vague timeline and a thumbs up for it being a success.
So, yeah.
When Deng does return, though, he (and many others, I’d assume) hopes it’s in a more hybrid F role if not a full-time shift to PF exclusively. And while that move comes with its complications due to the logjam at PF and C, finding a way to make it work with Deng should be one of the key non-young player priorities for next season. Because it would be incredibly wasteful to have your highest paid player and someone set to make nearly 20% of the salary cap not being used in a way which at least attempts to optimize his play.
But that’s a discussion for a later day. For now, best wishes and a speedy recovery to Luol.
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(UPDATE: Talia Ganguli of the LA Times has more information on Deng’s injury/surgery:
Deng's surgery was a quick, outpatient procedure. He hurt his pectoral muscle weightlifting recently. Expected to be fine well before camp.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) May 3, 2017
Well, that’s really good news and clears up some of the gray area I mentioned above.)
drrayeye says
Unlike players like Nikola Pekovic of the T-Wolves, or Chris Bosh of the Heat, who eat up cap space due to injury, Luol Deng is a rotation capable two way player who needs to be treated as a valuable asset. Given priority at power forward, he may be able to demonstrate enough of that value to be tradable later on in a win/win scenario.
If we follow that strategic focus, Luol Deng may not be the first Laker PF to be traded. . .
Clay Bertrand says
My comment was tongue in cheek. Yours is more logical.
However, IMO its a tough pill to swallow to have to design a whole special niche for a guy just to justify his paycheck and puff up his trade value. Yes smart coaches tailor their game plans to the strengths of their roster. But if the whole roster is playing one way and Luol has to be specially accommodated by changing the whole offensive philosophy in order to get value from him, that is a problem.
If he isn’t effective, we are stuck with him for sure but I can see that he only gets moved if he shows he’s effective. If the roster composition changes though, his value could improve.
You are correct though to say that at least, he is still able to contribute on the court while those others are not which is a nominal consolation at best.
Rick in Seattle says
Clay, it really doesn’t seem like a huge financial problem to keep Deng for another season. Mozgov has more trade value. He is younger, has a less expensive contract, and can actually contribute for a lot of teams. If the Lakers can find a team interested in Mozgov this summer, it removes a major financial roadblock for the coming season.
Frankly, were I the Lakers GM, I would be calling the Nets to inquire about Lopez, who will be an expiring contract this coming season. The Nets may want to get something for Lopez, rather than losing him for nothing. If I were the Lakers, I might consider dangling the 28th pick, or perhaps even the two seconds acquired from the Calderon trade. If Lopez works out well, the Lakers can re-sign him. If not, the Lakers get instant cap space next summer. Cap space vs a lost pick????
Let Deng get healthy, play him more at PF next season, and thereby increase the opportunities to move him next summer. When he has two years of his contract behind him, the remaining two years become much less onerous.
Tar Baby says
Pass on Lopez – Zubac will be him in 2 years and for a lot less money. By then, Moz will be that much easier to move (or stretch).
Lakers have some cap flexibility this off-season – they probably won’t have a shot at anybody worth a max contract, but can make it happen without moving either Deng or Mozgov. For that reason, I think they should sit on both for one more year (unless something falls into their laps, of course) and save those second rounders in case they need to unload a contract on the quick.
Clay Bertrand says
****SORRY FOR THE DELVING INTO TRADE SPECULATION–I AM JUST RESPONDING HERE****
FWIF, under Rick’s above proposal, Lopez is an EXPIRING deal meaning free cap space next Summer. There have been rumblings of this being a potential avenue for offloading our burdensome deal.
I am doubtful though. I have never bought that a team with a new GM in Marks, who is ASSET POOR to the MAX, would take any of our rotten deals just for an ALMOST SECOND ROUND PICK, and an actual second rounder when they could easily broker a deal more to their benefit.
I mean, the Lakers got that 28th pick for Lou Williams. Lopez is a much more valuable player (in the eyes of most). He ain’t gonna be moved for FODDER like Mozzy and some fringe picks. Someone will offer more than that.
Your idea in theory though is not all that far fetched. Its just that IMO, the Nets would need to get more back in such a deal. Lopez is their ONLY marketable piece really at this point.
Clay Bertrand says
Get well soon Luol!!!! We need you clanking those front rim 3s!!!!!!!
Tommy says
With Big Baller debuting their new shoe is anyone more concerned about drafting Lonzo:
1) his dad, Lavar is an idiot
2) if Lonzo wears an unproven shoe will he have foot problems? Recall when Meta joined the Lakers he was wearing a shoe from a Chinese company and had to stop wearing it to play better.
3) I’dlook long and hard at the cash flow plan for Lavar’s company. I think it’s going to struggle and I worry about undue
influences with Lavar and those influences impacting Lonzo.
I’d draft Fultz, Jackson or Tatum before Lonzo.
Clay Bertrand says
I am concerned regarding Ball THE PLAYER. I heard Don Maclean (NOT the “…CHEVY TO THE LEVY…” guy) commenting on Ball and he was adamant that Ball’s game will NOT translate to the NBA.
He questions his athleticism, his shot, and most strongly his inflated assist numbers that mostly came out of fast break run outs and long passes forward. These won’t be available in NBA games like they were in College. His lack of penetration for a PG is problematic and he (Maclean) claims that this is the major difference between Ball and Jason Kidd. Kidd’s penetration skills allowed for him to make more happen for his teammates whereas Ball does not go to the rim.
His Defense is also WORSE than DAR at this point. De’Aaron Fox destroyed him 1.5 times this year and he isn’t even that great of an offensive player yet.
Magic is falling in love with what he thinks is a guy who is just like him. But Magic played 30 years ago!!!!! The game has changed A LOT. Just because a guy swoons over your team doesn’t mean you have to draft him. Just because his Dad says youre his hero doesn’t mean you HAVE to draft his son. Cmon Magic!!!!
I am mildly concerned here………Doesn’t Pelinka have any voice of reason here???
ALAS, we don’t even have the pick so the point I’m raising is really moot until it isn’t……
Rick in Seattle says
Clay, you are correct in several ways. Defense is, and has been a team weakness for several years. This current Lakers club is offense heavy. Sure seems like the FO would be thinking more on the defensive side of the ball (pun intended). .
If DAR is not traded, it’s probably 50/50 that he moves to SG. If that happens, they need a complementary PG that plays defense. I would hope that Magic & Pelinka are very open-minded about trades–and not just focused on Paul George.
Rubio was available at the trade deadline. He plays defense, and if Minny is still trying to move him, and IF Minny still has some interest in Deng….. Well, perhaps something could come of that….
But, my main point is that Clay is correct. Why bring in another high pick that does not play defense? To complement the current starters, wouldn’t Jackson or Tatum, be better fits than either Ball or Fultz?
(UNLESS THE LAKERS ARE USING THE PICK IN TRADE), which is a possibility that we must consider… In that case, Ball or Fultz may have a bit more trade value….
Unfortunately, we just don’t know who Magic & Pelinka are talking to and what potential trade deals are already being discussed.
Frankly, I could see a number of teams interested in the Lakers pick, if it remains in the top-3. A team like Chicago might be ready to start over with a young core like Ball, Clarkson and Randle.
Someone on the team has to play defense, or this core will never make the playoffs. .
mattal says
Love me some Kelly Oubre. Not a big fan of Olynyk — who I think plays in the gray zone of dirty.
Would love Oubre to bring some if that fire to the Lakers.
RR says
I hope this isn’t Deng’s mentoring muscle.
Clay Bertrand says
LMFAO!!!
RR says
Deng is supposedly a great guy, actually. He responded very well to the Danny Ferry flap a few years back and has won some Humanitarian honorifics.
Clay Bertrand says
Totally true. I really hate ripping on the guy. He is a good guy. Nothing personal against Luol. I like the guy. I’ve even always liked his game…..until LAST year.
He can say what he wants but his legs look SHOT to me. When he JUST starts the game and he hasn’t been run ragged guarding a SF what is his excuse for front rimming long Jumpers???? We all saw Thibs run him into the ground. We know he has high mileage. Yet we are supposed to expect a BOUNCE BACK YEAR????? We shall see…….
I don’t buy that it was all the system and his playing the 3 that made him look old. I think he himself DID slip last year physically.
RR says
Sources tell ESPN that the Los Angeles Lakers tried to demote Yuju Lee, their director of basketball analytics, but he instead decided to leave the organization altogether
-Baxter Holmes