The idea that Luol Deng will not be playing for the Chicago Bulls in 2014 became a reality after his agent Herb Rudoy told the Chicago Tribune that the forward would explore free agency next summer. The two-time All-Star would garner plenty of interest if the Bulls truly let him walk away and head coach Tom Thibodeau is not thrilled about it.
Things became heated after Chicago informed Deng that they were cutting off talks of a contract extension and will have him play out the final year of his six-year, $71 million contract. Negotiations had begun back at the start of last season, but had stalled numerous times. ESPN's Marc Stein reported the Bulls were trying to gauge the forward's worth by seeing how much the Washington Wizards were will to trade for him. General manager Gar Forman insisted that Deng played a large role in what Chicago was trying to do moving forward, but a contract was not an option at the time.
This news has hurt Forman's relationship with Thibodeau. While Forman is thinking salary cap and budgeting for the coming years, Thibodeau is thinking wins and strategy on the court, something he sees Deng being a part of.
"You need rebounding, he'll give you rebounding,'' Thibodeau said, via the Chicago Sun Times. "If he's not shooting well, he gives you great defense. No matter how the game is going, he's always going to be there late for you, no matter if it's pick-and-roll offense, swinging the ball, moving without the ball, making a great random cut from the weak side. He has great impact on winning. You can't ask anything more of one of your best players.''
Team sources report Thibodeau would be furious if the Bulls ended up trading Deng or letting him walk away without a contract next summer. The Bulls want to add an elite player next to Derek Rose and see Deng as possible leverage. If Deng walks, they have space to sign someone like Danny Granger or Zach Randolph.
So where would Deng land? LakersNation.com reports that Deng could possibly land in Los Angeles if he does in fact become a free agent. The Lakers do not see someone like LeBron James as an option, but need to sign some sort of marquee star. Deng is considered one of the better defenders in the league as he averages 16.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. He is unselfish enough to mix with Kobe Bryant and talented enough to be a real threat on the court. Plus, he would not cost as much as some of the other players in free agency will.
