THE STORY
In July 2016, the Los Angeles Lakers signed free agents Luol Deng and Timofey Mozgov to four-year contracts worth $72 million and $64 million, respectively. Both players were expected to provide veteran leadership and bolster the team's roster. However, their performances did not meet expectations, leading to their removal from the starting lineup by February 2017. The Lakers eventually traded Mozgov in June 2017 and waived Deng in July 2018, resulting in financial losses for the franchise.
WHY IT MATTERS
The Lakers' substantial investments in Deng and Mozgov are often cited as significant missteps in the team's rebuilding efforts, highlighting the challenges of balancing veteran acquisitions with long-term development.