Wizards, Heat Showed Interest in Deng in Free Agency

According to multiple reports, the Lakers overpaid Luol Deng for his signature in free agency.

The Lakers stunned just about everyone during free agency with the four-year $72  million contract they offered Luol Deng. Fans felt that he had been overpaid immediately after the contract agreement was reported.

This feeling has since been validated by ESPN’s Zach Lowe. According to Lowe, the Washington Wizards were going to offer him roughly $20 million than what he signed for with the Lakers.

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Deng’s lack of production alone has many Lakers fans calling for him to be traded. This new report will only upset Los Angeles fans even more knowing the team could have saved up to $20 million to get the 12-year veteran.

The way this contract affects the future of the team doesn’t look great either. Lowe also mentioned that the amount Deng signed for is going to make it difficult for the team to pursue free agents, as well as find suitors for Deng.

Another report came out earlier this week detailing the Miami Heat’s interest in Deng.

According to Mark Medina of the OC Register, Deng wanted to stay in Miami, but couldn’t turn down the Lakers mega offer.

This conflicts with fans’ feelings that the Lakers overpaid for Deng when it looked like no other teams were knocking on his door. Maybe they didn’t have to pay $72 million to get him, but with legitimate contenders wanting his services, Los Angeles had to make an offer he could not refuse.

Deng has been experiencing a bit of a resurgence with the Lake Show as of late, but his salary has far exceeded his play. How much is Deng worth in today’s NBA? Let us know in the comments below.