The NBA free agency period has officially started and Luol Deng is a main target on the market for teams like the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, LA Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks and NY Knicks and he could be one of the biggest signings of the offseason after his trade from Chi-town to the Cleveland Cavaliers during last season.
Deng comes into the season after getting traded from the Bulls after the two sides could not work out a contract extension. According to ESPN.com, the Mavericks and the Clippers are two of the teams that are chasing Deng along with the Lakers and Miami Heat, although he may be too expensive for the Heat if LeBron wants a max contract. Reports say that Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh may take less money to help the Heat sign players and Deng could be one of them, but he likely is too expensive.
Last season Deng had another very solid year for the Bulls and the Cavs, going for 16 points, five rebounds and two assists per game and he remains one of the most athletic in the league. Deng was contacted by a number of teams when free agency started and the 29-year-old is the top player on the market past James and Carmelo Anthony. The Mavericks have some cap room but they also have players they need to sign, while the Phoenix Suns could get into the mix, as they have the space to offer him a decent contract.
Deng was paid $14.3 million last season and he should be right in that wheelhouse again, as he is a very good defensive player with offensive skills as well and that makes him dangerous on the court. Miami is looking at Kyle Lowry on the free agent market as well and he could command a high salary and that makes adding him to the roster tough if James is going to get over $20 million. The Heat currently have $50 million in cap space, but the team needs to sign James, Wade and Bosh and unless some of those names take less money, it will be tough to sign anyone else.
The Big 3 met together to plan what to do next and if two of the three take less money, a player like Deng could be an option. Deng has no reason to take less money with the Heat unless he wants to play with James and the Big 3 and he could end up getting a major contract with the Lakers, Mavericks or Clippers if he signs with those teams.
