The Los Angeles Lakers have spent $115 million on three former Heat players over the last eight years.
Jeanie Buss and the Los Angeles Lakers have paid more than $115 million to former Miami Heat players. Over the last eight years, the Purple and Gold have signed three different former Heat members to mega-deals, and all three have proven to be a complete failure.
Luol Deng – $72 Million, 4 Years, 57 games (2016-2018)
Kendrick Nunn – $10 million, 10 years, 39 games (2022-2023)
Gabe Vincent – $33 million, 10 years, 5 games (2023-2024)
During Jeanie Buss’s tenure, the Lakers have received significant acclaim, although it hasn’t always been a smooth journey for the esteemed team owner. Just a short while ago, during a period of considerable struggle for the Lakers, she spearheaded decisions that raised eyebrows, evident in the stark statistics reflecting the team’s downturn.
One of the most glaring issues has been the franchise’s decision-making, leading to some of the NBA’s most regrettable contracts. Prior to LeBron James’ arrival in 2018, the Lakers lacked a coherent future strategy and appeared directionless in their team-building approach. Ultimately, they sabotaged their own prospects by offering lucrative, long-term contracts to players like Timofey Mozgov and Nick Young.
Curiously, the Lakers have displayed a penchant for acquiring former Miami Heat players, with Gabe Vincent being the latest addition from that pool. However, following his limited involvement this season, the Lakers may have finally grasped the lesson to approach any offers from Miami with caution.
All 3 Former Heat Players Were Disappointing For Lakers
The Miami Heat possess a unique ability to extract the best performances from their players, often leading other teams to believe that these players can sustain their level of play elsewhere. The Lakers have repeatedly fallen prey to this illusion, resulting in significant financial losses.
One glaring example is Luol Deng’s contract, which is considered one of the worst in NBA history. Valued at $72 million over four years, it became a nightmare for the Lakers following Deng’s promising season with the Heat in 2015-16, where he averaged 12.3 points per game. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak offered him a maximum contract shortly after, only to witness Deng’s production plummet. With the Lakers, Deng averaged just 7.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game on 38% shooting, playing a mere 57 games before fading from the rotation and eventually leaving the team altogether.
Subsequently, the Lakers signed another former Heat player, Kendrick Nunn, with hopes of bolstering their backcourt. However, Nunn’s impact was minimal during his brief one-year tenure, averaging just 6.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game on 40% shooting. Similarly, Gabe Vincent’s signing this season proved to be another disappointment for the Lakers, with his statistics at a low of 5.4 points and 3.0 assists per game in just five games played.
The Lakers seem unable to evade costly contracts, often finding themselves entangled in new ones just as they’re poised to rid themselves of previous burdens. It begs the question: who from the Heat roster will be the next to secure a lucrative deal with the Purple and Gold?
Leave a Reply