The British forward signed a monster four-year deal with the Lakers worth a reported $72m that raised eyebrows across the league in the summer of 2016 after leaving the Miami Heat during free agency. He made 59 appearances for the 16-time NBA champions the following year, averaging 7.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game as the Lakers languished in the midst of a rebuilding phase. But with the arrival of a promising core of youngsters including the likes of Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram, Deng found himself exiled from the team as coach Luke Walton opted to give the rookies playing time instead.

Luol Deng has demanded clarification on his future with the Lakers

The British forward played just one game last season

In an interview with IOL today, Deng, who is currently in South Africa to play in the league’s yearly NBA Africa exhibition game, revealed his frustrations at being shelved in such emphatic style by team management. “I don’t know (where I fit in at the Lakers) I went with what they wanted,” Deng explained. “There has been a lot of talk. Me not playing was not my call. This is an organisational decision. People can say whatever they want to say I respected what they were telling me. Throughout the year I tried to play and every time they said they wanted to play the young guys, so that’s their direction. “I don’t know what’s going on now, hopefully soon I will know, I would like to know the answers.” The Lakers were buoyed by the arrival of LeBron James during the offseason after the four-time league MVP signed a four-year deal following his departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and team president Magic Johnson brought in a host of battle-hardened veterans to join James, including the likes of Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson and JaVale McGee – but Deng remains confident he could also contribute if called upon next year.

Deng is a two-time All-Star