Despite the past struggles, it seems like the Los Angeles Lakers can still entice quality free agents, and now, veteran forward Luol Deng is joining them after agreeing to a four-year deal. 

Deng is going to earn $72 million with his new contract. The agreement with the Lakers makes the 31-year-old the second major addition the team had this free agency. Before this, former Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov also reached a four-year deal ($64 million) with the franchise. 

Los Angeles' acquisition of Deng is a good move. The two-time All-Star is a veteran who can guide the team's young core led by the likes of Jordan Clarkson, D'Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, and Julius Randle. Along with this, he is also a versatile player who has proven his efficiency playing the small and power forward positions. 

The Miami Heat's previous campaign (2015-16 season) is Deng's 12th season in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and was his second year in South Beach. In 74 games played (73 starts), he averaged 12.3 points, six rebounds, 1.9 assists, and one steal per contest. 

Together with fellow veterans Dwyane Wade and Joe Johnson, plus a supporting cast of talented youngsters, Deng helped the Heat be playoff contenders again last season. Miami finished third in the Eastern Conference with a 48-34 record. They were challenged by the Charlotte Hornets in seven games during the first round, before getting eliminated by the Toronto Raptors in the second.

This gives Deng great momentum heading to a Lakers team aiming for a better finish in the 2016-17 season.

Many are criticizing Los Angeles for spending too much on Deng and Mozgov. But these players are great ones and they are likely added not to be franchise stars. Instead, they will help the younger guys develop while the team tries returning to playoff contention.