When the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Andrew Bynum for Luol Deng, they were hoping the small forward was the final piece to their playoff puzzle. Deng had veteran experience to lead the young Cavaliers roster right into the postseason, right? Issues stemming way beyond Deng plagued the Cavaliers and the playoff dream was not fulfilled, leaving the team to restructure the roster once again. However, this time it might not include Deng.
Deng was not happy in Cleveland and he made it known. The forward told reporters the Cavaliers were simply too immature to make the postseason, both on and off the court. Between the changes in the front office, the firing of Mike Brown and issues surrounding Kyrie Irving, Deng was not interested in returning to Cleveland, but the team will not offer him a deal even if he was.
According to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal, the Cavaliers have no interested in retaining Deng for the long-term despite his All-Star talents. Cleveland is likely not looking his way knowing that Deng is seeing a nice pay raise in the offseason. The Cavaliers simply cannot dedicate the cap space to Deng when they have LeBron James and Kevin Love on the brain. Cleveland is looking to make a few splashy moves in the offseason, leaving Deng on the outside looking in. So where does he go.
Deng will be a top priority for teams this offseason. He has proven he can help carry a roster to the postseason. The return to the Chicago Bulls could be the first option. Head coach Tom Thibodeau did not want to trade Deng in the first place and has said the door is open for his return to the team. If the Bulls miss out on Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James, Deng can expect his phone to ring.
The Los Angeles Lakers appear to be a serious candidate for the free agent. According to Bleacher Report, the Lakers are starting to look away from Anthony and towards slightly more affordable options. With a majority of their contracts coming off the books, Deng could be afforded. Los Angeles could get Deng this summer and then chase someone like Rajon Rondo next summer. Any free agent looking to win now is not headed to the Lakers and while Deng is likely in that boat, he could be a player Los Angeles wants to build around. If they offer him a better contract than anyone else, Deng takes the money over wins.
A darkhorse for the forward could be a team like the Brooklyn Nets. They are awaiting a decision from Paul Pierce about whether or not he wants to re-sign. While the Nets like to hand out money, they are unlikely to give Deng the long-term contract he is seeking. They simply do not have the space. But, if the forward can lower his demands, Brooklyn might come calling.