Ron Jenkins/Associated Press
Contract Signed: Four years, $72 million
Contract Spent with Team: Two years, $64.5 million
Cost per Win Share: $71.7 million
While Timofey Mozgov (four years, $64 million) and Deng were both some of the worst contracts handed out by any franchise over the last decade, there's a clear winner (loser?) here.
The Lakers ended up paying Mozgov $14.5 million per win share, an absolute bargain compared to Deng. While L.A. was able to trade the big man in a deal that sent D'Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez and Kyle Kuzma, the small forward was eventually waived and stretched.
Playing just a single game for the Lakers in 2017-18, Deng was essentially paid $17.2 million to stay home that season while the team worked on developing its young core.
These two signings led to a complete overhaul of the Lakers front office, with Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak being replaced by Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka. Deng will continue to earn nearly $5 million per year from the Lakers through the 2021-22 season.