The Chicago Bulls reportedly have taken Luol Deng off the trade market for the time being and while the team is planning on trying to make a run with their current core, having Derrick Rose out changes everything and that makes a deal for Luol Deng and Thaddeus Young an option and also puts teams like the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers in the mix.
The Knicks have been terrible this season and while they are in a tough salary cap situation, a trade could be the best way to get out of the bottom of the east and both Deng and Thaddeus Young could be looked at as potential options. According to ESPN.com, Young has asked the Sixers for a trade as he keeps getting mentioned in rumors and one deal that has already been reported on a nice amount if Young to the Bulls for Deng as well as a deal for Young to the Rockets involving Omer Asik.
The Rockets have reportedly pulled Asik off the market after it appeared they likely would trade him and one team that looked interested was the Sixers and any deal between the two teams would have probably included Young or Evan Turner. The Rockets may still trade Asik down the line, but right now they appear content to keep him and as it gets closer to the deadline teams may get more motivated and could up their offers for the All-Star caliber center. Young could offer teams a very solid player and there are many that need someone like him and his contract is under team control for another few years.
Reports said that Young has asked for a trade and while he denied that, the Sixers have made it no secret that they could deal players as they start to rebuild. The Asik for Young deal would be a smart move for both sides, as the Sixers could even trade Asik again down the line, while Houston will get another piece of the puzzle as they try to win a championship and the Rockets feel that the Sixers are a good partner, even with Asik's tough financial realities due to his contract.
Young has been playing well this season and Asik staying on the Rockets doesn't do anybody any favors, especially if he is not playing and contributing significant minutes. The Pacers are an interesting team as well, as they have Danny Granger and Chris Copeland to move in a deal and Young could be a fit for them as well. The money for Granger would be coming off the books after this season and that would give the Sixers more cap space and moving Young also would open up that spot for the Sixers as well and the biggest issue of it all is clearly the money and that would play into things as well.
The Cavaliers have been looking into trading Dion Waiters and either Turner or Young could be moves in this deal. The Cavs have hoped they could contend for a playoff spot this season and so far things have not gone well and making a move like this would open things up for the team.