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

— -- Free agent Luol Deng has agreed to a four-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers that is worth $72 million, according to a report Saturday by The Vertical.

After struggling to find consistency and a comfortable role through much of his two seasons in Miami, Deng blossomed when he shifted from small forward to power forward with All-Star Chris Bosh lost in February for the second time to treat blood clots.

Deng, 31, averaged 15.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 28 games after the All-Star break, when he shot 48.4 percent from the field in 31.4 minutes. Deng's versatility on both ends of the court was vital in the Heat's transition to an up-tempo pace over the second half of the season and fueled their push to the second round of the playoffs.

"He was getting more space and room to run and cut and be himself," Heat team president Pat Riley said of Deng, a 12-year veteran who spent his first nine seasons with Chicago. "He's a great leader. We love him. He's a high-character guy. I consider him one of our core people."

Deng earned $10.1 million last season in the final year of a two-year deal in Miami. But with limited salary cap space and retaining Dwyane Wade a clear prioritiy after keeping  Hassan Whiteside, bringing back Deng appeared to be a huge challenge for the Heat entering free agency.

Information from ESPN's Michael Wallace was used in this report.