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Lakers agree to sign Luol Deng to four-year, $72-million deal

Miami Heat forward Luol Deng speaks to reporters Tuesday, May 17, 2016, in Miami.
(Al Diaz / Miami Herald via AP)
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The Lakers made one of their last big free-agent deals of the off-season, adding another veteran Saturday by agreeing to a four-year, $72-million deal with former All-Star Luol Deng.

Deng, 31, typically does a little bit of everything on the court and gives the Lakers someone to fill the small-forward spot until Brandon Ingram is ready to start.

Deng can also play power forward in a small-ball lineup, creating added appeal in Coach Luke Walton’s vision of the Lakers.

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Deng seems to fit into Walton’s desire to add players with character. In fact, Miami Heat President Pat Riley called Deng a “high-character guy” last season.

“He’s a great leader. We love him,” Riley said.

Deng, though, must prove his best years aren’t behind him.

He made $10 million last season and averaged only 12.3 points for Miami, the lowest since he was a rookie with Chicago in 2004-05. He finished the regular season on a better note, averaging 15.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists after the All-Star game.

His uptick in production was in step with All-Star Chris Bosh sitting out because of blood clots. Listed at 6 feet 9 and 220 pounds, Deng moved to power forward in Bosh’s place.

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He was more than solid for Miami in a first-round playoff series against Charlotte, averaging 19 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 51.3% from three-point range. He was a nonfactor in the Eastern Conference semifinals against Toronto, averaging only 7.6 points and shooting 35.8% overall as the Heat lost in seven games.

The Lakers have more than $12 million left to spend toward next season’s payroll after also agreeing to terms with center Timofey Mozgov (four years, $64 million) and guard Jordan Clarkson (four years, $50 million) since free agency began Thursday night.

Deng was down the Lakers’ wish list a bit but they could not attract Nicolas Batum or Kent Bazemore with offers to play small forward for them.

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Along those lines, the Lakers were interested in Miami center Hassan Whiteside, though not entirely sure they wanted to commit a maximum salary for him. He ended up re-signing with the Heat after declining to meet with the Lakers.

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The Lakers also did not contact Atlanta center Al Horford when free agency began, a slightly surprising development for a team in need of a proven big man. Horford, a four-time All-Star, reached agreement Saturday with Boston on a four-year deal worth a reported $113 million.

So the Lakers move forward with Mozgov, Clarkson and Deng, who was an All-Star for Chicago in 2012 and 2013.

After winning a franchise-low 17 games last season, they appear willing to turn over the team to their youthful core, with a handful of veterans sprinkled into the mix.

Whether it works remains to be seen. Many people are watching, including a fan base that’s witnessed 65 total victories the last three seasons.

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mike.bresnahan@latimes.com

Twitter: @Mike_Bresnahan

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