The Los Angeles Lakers were intent on making a splash in free agency this summer, with over $60 million in cap space and a roster in need of veteran talent. Names like Kevin Durant, Al Horford, and DeMar DeRozan were on the market, leaving many hopeful that the Lakers would land an All-Star.
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, as the top-level stars weren’t interested in joining a Lakers team in the middle of a rebuild. With that option eliminated, the team instead opted to pursue veterans who could help provide their young team with stability and leadership. With that in mind, they agreed to a 4 year, $72 million deal with forward Luol Deng and a 4 year, $64 million deal with center Timofey Mozgov.
The amount of money being handed out was a bit larger than most expected, but what was truly shocking was the length of the contracts. Deng (31) and Mozgov (turns 30 in two weeks) will both be well past their primes in the last few years of their deals, which made some hopeful that a team option was included in order to allow the Lakers an out in case either player wasn’t living up to their deal.
However, according to Sam Amick of USA Today, there are no such options in either contract:
Just checked on this, and…no options on Luol Deng’s deal with the Lakers. Straight four years, $72 million. https://t.co/7iJjUpeUyr
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 2, 2016
Since we’re crossing contract Ts and dotting Is here: I’m told there are no options on Timofey Mozgov’s Lakers deal https://t.co/TnpBJeDJ0x
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 2, 2016
While it’s certainly disappointing that the Lakers won’t have an opportunity to get out of the contracts, the fact remains that they felt comfortable enough with both players to give them full four-year deals.
Both Mozgov and Deng have the ability to produce on the court while also helping young players like D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and Brandon Ingram to grow. If they can do that, then the Lakers’ signings this summer will have to be considered a success.
