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NBA Free Agency: 5 best fits for Luol Deng

By Parker Hurley

Apr 10, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) reacts after drawing a foul during the first half against the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (9) reacts after drawing a foul during the first half against the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) talks to Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against Houston Rockets at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) talks to Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against Houston Rockets at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers have essentially been looking for Deng for two years now. They started with Matt Barnes at the wing from 2012-2014. Barnes was nice, but it was known he was the weak link of the starting five. He would be left open a lot in the playoffs, and would almost help the opposing defense by being on the floor.
The Clippers knew in 2015 they had to upgrade. They went to multiple avenues, Paul Pierce, Jeff Green and Lance Stephenson. None of those seemed to work out. This sets up the perfect landing spot for Deng.

He could start this year and be an upgrade over what was there last year. Essentially, he can do everything they thought Pierce could do. He can play the four in lineups with just Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. However, he will start at the three and be a provider as a wing defender they do not have.

For Deng, he not only gets to start, he does so beside one of the better and more established big three’s in the NBA, plus knock down shooter JJ Reddick. It has been a rockier road recently, but they have experience, veteran leadership and mostly any other intangible needed. Plus, he gets to move from Miami to Los Angeles. While Minnesota, and Portland are nice, it would be tough to beat the Hollywood weather, the Hall of Fame point guard, and the star coach Doc Rivers who will hope to put it all together. Money will play a huge factor, and the Clippers cannot miss out on adding depth this year, but if Luol Deng was looking for his best fit this summer, it would be joining the Clippers

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