Magic Johnson and his Los Angeles Lakers did some major work prior to Thursday afternoon’s NBA trade deadline. In sending Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye, the team picked up two expiring contracts. It will now enable Los Angeles to chase after two max-contract players during the summer.
Unfortunately, Johnson and the Lakers were not able to unload what is remaining on the four-year, $72 million contract they signed Luol Deng to back in the summer of 2016.
When asked if there were any substantive talks about unloading Deng’s contract, Johnson had a perfect reaction. One could even call it priceless. It included a laughing attack followed by, “we wish, huh?”
Magic Johnson was asked by @billoram if there were any substantive conversations about Luol Deng during the trade deadline, and his initial response is AMAZING! #LakeShow #Lakers pic.twitter.com/IWNU76YGx0
— Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) February 8, 2018
The Lakers’ President breaking out into laughter before even answering the question makes this even more brilliant. Deng has two years and nearly $37 million on the deal he signed with the Lakers. He’s played just one game this season.
It goes without saying that moving this contract would be a priority for Los Angeles. But there’s not another team in the NBA dumb enough to even consider it.