With December 15 just less than a week away, more trade rumors within the NBA are starting to come out. According to recent reports, talks are ongoing between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves about a possible deal.
The possible deal would involve the Los Angeles Lakers forward Luol Deng and the Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Shabazz Muhammad. Luol Deng could provide the veteran leadership to a young Minnesota Timberwolves team that has rising stars Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine. The Los Angeles Lakers meanwhile could add another young player that could fit in with their up tempo style of play.
Luol Deng, 31, signed a 4 year, $72 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers in the off season and has so far been a disappointment this season for the Los Angeles Lakers. Luol Deng is only averaging 6.8 points on only 7.5 shot attempts, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He's also shooting a career low 34.1 percent from the field. But the one thing that the Los Angeles Lakers can't deny about Luol Deng is his veteran leadership inside the locker room.
Around the NBA, Luol Deng has a reputation of providing a strong presence in every locker room he has been in, including the Los Angeles Lakers. With the Los Angeles Lakers stacked with young talents like, D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance, Jr., having a veteran presence around the locker room is an important asset to have. But despite Luol Deng's veteran leadership, the Lakers feel that Luol Deng does not fit their style of play. And with the playoffs on the radar of the Los Angeles Lakers, the allure of acquiring another young player might tempt the Lakers to deal Luol Deng. Plus with Metta World Peace still around, the Lakers can afford to let go of Luol Deng.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, meanwhile, are also stacked with young players. The problem is that is they don't have a veteran player to lead them. Very few NBA teams win with a vey young team, much less compete for a championship, without a veteran leader. That's why it makes sense for the Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire Luol Deng.
Because of Luol Deng's massive contract, the Los Angeles Lakers would have to take in Nikola Pekovic's contract in order for the deal to work. Nikola Pekovic is currently injured and is out for the season.
