This is the second season that Luol Deng's name has been brought up in several trade rumors. As the Chicago Bulls' season continues its downward spiral thanks to injuries, the team might be looking to make several moves before the February trade deadline and many believe it all starts with Deng.
ESPN.com is reporting that sources close to Chicago are saying the Bulls have no intention of trading Deng away and not shopping him around to interested teams. Earlier in the week, the Chicago Sun-Times was reporting Deng could be involved in several trade packages, but it looks like that might no longer be the plan.
Deng is an easy name to mix in with the rumors. The veteran is playing out the final year of his contract, worth $14 million, after failing to negotiate a new deal during the offseason. The two sides attempted to work out an extension, but were too far apart on the terms of the deal and nothing got done. The Bulls are preparing to face a luxury-tax bill that could pass $13 million leaving Deng on the edge with the team.
The Bulls appear content to keep Deng for the remainder of the year. However, for now he is out with a sore Achilles. He has missed the past four games and is in a walking boot after the injury flared back up. Deng is working to get back as soon as possible considering the Bulls are hurting with several players out.
"You just never know how your body reacts to it," Deng said, via ESPN.com. "I want to try and be back as soon as possible but I want to be smart about it. I want to shoot for Christmas Day. If I can't (be back), then the game after that. But definitely the next five days or so really give it the attention that it deserves and try to be healthy."
Besides Deng, Derrick Rose is out for the year. Kirk Hinrich has back stiffness. Jimmy Butler rolled his right ankle along with dealing with turf toe. These injuries could be the biggest reason Deng is not on the block. They need as many health players to return as possible.
Rose is concerned that the Bulls will enter a rebuilding phase sooner rather than later. Trading away Deng could be a signal that will be happening. Chicago has lost four games in a row while dropping their last eight of 10 games overall to sit in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. Chicago appears to be headed nowhere, so time will tell if Deng is truly off the market.