After conversations between the Chicago Bulls and their All-Star forward Luol Deng have stalled Tuesday morning, the agent for Deng says his client would "certainly visit free agency" next summer.
"Luol has taken the position that he will definitely go through the free-agent process" said Herb Rudoy Deng's Chicago-based agent.
Rudoy said that the Bulls' management informed him last week that no further talks would take place this offseason or during training camp. Discussions between the two camps have been ongoing since late-June and early-July in regards to keeping the two-time All-Star small forward in Chicago beyond his final year of his contract this season.
Bulls general manager Gar Forman said repeatedly over the summer that the Bulls would like to keep Deng long-term, but also indicated that extension would be unlikely.
"We value Luol" Forman said in July at the Vegas Summer League.
Though the players like Miami's LeBron Jamesand New York's Carmelo Anthony will more than likely garner the most attention next summer, if Deng were to hit the market he would have his fair share of attention as well.
If he does become a free agent next summer Deng could conceivably earn a multi-year contract in the range of a $12 million annual salary.
The Mavericks and Lakers are two of the many high-profile teams projected to have salary-cap space next summer when Deng's six-year $71 million contract deal expires.
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