Forgotten Lakers And Bulls Star Is One of Richest NBA Players Ever

Photo: Instagram/Luol Deng

Luol Deng has had quite the career and life. The 6ft 9in star was born in war-torn South Sudan and eventually fled with his family to settle in Brixton, South London. 

Deng now boasts a net worth of over $200 million, surpassing even NBA legends like Steph Curry, Dwyane Wade, and James Harden. Deng’s basketball journey began with the Duke Blue Devils in college. 

In the 2004 NBA Draft, he was picked seventh overall by the Phoenix Suns. He had a stellar NBA career, making two All-Star appearances and earning a spot on the 2012 NBA All-Defensive Second Team.

Photo: Instagram/Luol Deng

Over 15 years, Deng played for the Bulls, Cavaliers, Heat, Lakers, and Timberwolves. He scored 13,361 points, grabbed 5,468 rebounds, and made 2,042 assists. However, he is often remembered for one of the worst player contracts in NBA history.

In 2016, the Los Angeles Lakers signed Deng to a four-year deal worth $72 million. He only played 57 games for them, but the team continued to pay his salary long after he left. To free up salary space, his contract was restructured in 2018 for two additional seasons, meaning the Lakers paid him for six years instead of four. 

Deng eventually joined the Timberwolves in 2018, but his restructured contract cost the Lakers millions.

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Source: Talk Sports 

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