Luol Deng is the top name in free agency past LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony and teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers could be options for him as a free agent, while Lance Stephenson is also on the market and is a potential target for those teams as well if he leaves the Indiana Pacers.
Deng comes into the offseason after getting traded from the Bulls to the Cavaliers and he is getting targeted by a number of teams. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Deng is getting attention from the Washington Wizards, as they are looking to keep things going after making the playoffs and winning a series in the postseason. The team has already retained Andre Miller and Marcin Gortat and head coach Randy Wittman is also back and now they are hoping to add Deng to the mix alongside John Wall and Bradley Beal.
The Wizards are also still trying to keep Trevor Ariza, but he may be getting too expensive and that could apply for Deng as well. The team signed back Gortat to a nice deal and now they have the chance to sign Deng or Ariza, who they have the Bird rights for and the means they can sign him over the cap. Pro Basketball Talk reports that Deng is considering all options in free agency and that includes a return to the Bulls. Last year the two sides could not come to an agreement on a deal and that is why he was traded.
Many thought the Bulls would not be in the mix after the team could not come to an agreement with Deng, but PBT reports that the team is still in the mix. Lance Stephenson is also on the free agent market and is in the mix for some of those same teams after he rejected a five year deal for $44 million with the Pacers. Stephenson has plenty of talent, but he has proven to be a bit of a head case over the last couple years and that could lead to him signing elsewhere. Deng is the top free agent past Carmelo and LeBron and teams will be gunning to sign him once the other main stars finally sign.
Deng was with the Chicago Bulls entering the season and he had spent his entire career there before getting traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers and now he is a free agent. The Bulls remain in the mix for Deng, but the two sides couldn't come to an extension agreement and that could be a roadblock later down the line. SI.com reports that the Lakers and Knicks are interested in signing Deng if they miss out on other players, while the Miami Heat, Warriors and Nets also could be in the running.
The NBA offseason in 2014 has been a busy one and with the free agency moratorium over on July 10, names like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade can sign officially along with Luol Deng, who is a player that could command attention from teams like the Chicago Bulls, LA Lakers, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, Mavericks and the Brooklyn Nets once those bigger names decide their futures.
