The Chicago Bulls engaged in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers with the intention of setting up for the future, but not now. The Cavaliers have different intentions as they hope Luol Deng will help the team and for years to come. The forward is still set to become a free agent at the end of the season, but Cleveland hopes to get him to a long-term deal soon.
Despite what some might believe, the Cavaliers do not view Deng as just a five-month rental used to get a young team to the playoffs. They are hoping he is more of a three-year star. The Cavaliers have until June 30 to get Deng to agree to a long-term contract rather than opting for free agency in the offseason.
"We're bringing him here and we'd like to keep him here long term," General Manager Chris Grant said, via the Cleveland News-Herald. "He's 28 years old. We see him as part of our core and our youth moving forward. We'll get through the season and get into those conversations at the appropriate time."
During his introductory press conference, Deng denied any reports of salary demands. Early reports claimed Deng requested $15 million a season from Chicago while the two sides were trying to negotiate a contract deal in the offseason. Instead, the forward said the team offered him $30 million over three years in a take-it-or-leave-it deal.
"Three days before the trade, Gar called me upstairs and put three years, $30 million on the table. Take it or leave it. No negotiation. I said no and that was it," Deng said. "But 15? That's the only thing that upset me. I'm not upset with the organization. I want everyone to understand that. If I was a GM, would I make that move? Maybe. I wanted to be in Chicago. I thought I was going to end my career there. Not talking during the summer, did that hurt me? Yeah. And then you come back with 10 (million). Who knows what I would've taken in the summer? That's the part that is really bothering me. Other than that, I have no issues at all."
Deng is in the middle of his 10th season in the NBA. If the Cavaliers have any intention of keeping the two-time All-Star for long-term then they will likely have to offer him a max contract similar to what Josh Smith signed in Detroit. ESPN.com reports a deal close to three years, $49.5 million could be in the works.
