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Lakers Rumors: Luol Deng Buyout Leaves Team Just Short In Salary Cap Space To Offer Kevin Durant Max Contract In 2019 NBA Free Agency

The biggest story over the last few days for the Los Angeles Lakers is that they were able to part ways with Luol Deng via an agreement on a buyout and stretch provision. The saga began in 2016 when Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak signed Deng to a four-year, $72 million contract.

The contract would quickly be known as one of the NBA’s worst, and it ultimately required the Lakers to pay a player who essentially never saw time on the court $18 million per year. Deng appeared in the opener last season, then never played again.

It was reported Deng, in agreeing to a buyout, forfeited $7.