Lakers actively shopping Luol Deng?

Los Angeles - The Los Angeles Lakers are again dealing with an injury riddled season, but this time around they are weathering the storm for the most part to the tune of a 28-17 record, which is good for the 8th seed in the cutthroat Western Conference.  Al Horford missed two months earlier in the season and his first game back following his broken wrist, Russell Westbrook went down with a broken leg that has sidelined him indefinitely for at least the remainder of 2 months.  Despite the lack of depth on the Lakers, it's quite remarkable that they have managed to squeak out enough wins to sit at 11 games over .500.

Recent reports have surfaced that many within the Lakers brass are ready to hand Luol Deng's role to Jimmy Butler due to age, and contract, and simply, they are ready to give him a full time role the rest of the season.  Word is also that the Lakers are interested in addressing their depth issues through the draft, whether it be this year or next year which means the Lakers may liken to a package surrounding an expiring contract and draft picks for Luol Deng.

One individual within the Lakers organization has said he has seen General Manager "AK" throwing things on a daily basis due to the injuries his team is facing, as he feels when healthy this Lakers team can compete for a championship.  "We've seen him throw just about everything lately, from computer chairs, to lazy-boys, to even a picture of him and Kobe Bryant which hung inside of his office.. AK is not happy and he's ready to pull the trigger and make this team better for the long run," the individual said.

Given the lack of depth on this Lakers team and the organizations well known goal to chase a superstar this off-season, Luol Deng definitely appears to be the most movable piece in La La Land this trade deadline.  "They are chasing a player of the caliber of LeBron James, or Kevin Love, or Carmelo Anthony... they are ready to spend whatever it takes to bring great talent to Los Angeles..  this is very unlike them to ossibly move a player that they signed to a long-term deal, they are very committed to their players - just look at how they treat Westbrook and Beal," one Western Conference executive said.

Everyone saw this move coming the day you signed him. You need to clear cap space for a max FA.

Rizzo (NO) wrote:Everyone saw this move coming the day you signed him. You need to clear cap space for a max FA.

Well truth is, I can not pick up Butler's option and have more than enough cap. The league can't stop that part

I think it's more than clearing cap. Deng is shooting 37% FG%. He's great defensively, but the guy just can't shoot to save his life.