While Deng says he is not quite ready to hang up his high-tops, he will be looking for a new contract as NBA free agency unfolds next month. He is still owed $15 million by the Los Angeles Lakers, as part of the four-year, $72 million contract he signed in 2016 (the Lakers and Deng reached a buyout agreement on the final two years of the deal in 2018). But his original side hustle has set him up for a lucrative second career. “I don’t think anyone has invested in real estate to this scale and level of sophistication while they are still an active player,” Gross says. “Most people wait until they are finished. Luol is going to hit the ground running.”
While Deng says he is not quite ready to hang up his hi…
June 23, 2021 | 8:34 pm EDT Update
Marc J. Spears: Kawhi Leonard, Right Knee Sprain, listed out for Game 3 by Clippers.
Sarah K. Spencer: Bogdan Bogdanovic (right knee soreness) is available.
June 23, 2021 | 7:44 pm EDT Update
Erik Spoelstra to join USA Select Team coaching staff
Erik Spoelstra and Gregg Popovich have often spoken of how much they enjoy coaching against one another. This summer, they’re teaming up — to coach with, and against, one another.
Spoelstra has accepted an invitation to join the USA Basketball coaching staff for its Olympic preparations in Las Vegas next month. The Miami Heat coach, who went head-to-head against Popovich and San Antonio in the 2013 and 2014 NBA Finals, will be involved coaching the U.S. select team — a group of players that will be brought in to practice and scrimmage against the Olympic roster.
“I really just want to be a part of the program,” Spoelstra said. “I’m always pushing myself to get better in the offseasons; I go visit people and all that stuff. This is going to be a basketball immersion. I mean, the dinners, the team meetings … for where I am right now in my career, I think this is the perfect thing for a summer of development.”
