Cleveland looks toward the playoffs, while Chicago signals the end of era.
“Also, sorry about Luol.”
That was part of a text I sent a friend of mine yesterday morning. A long time Bulls fans, he and I had discussed the possibility of a Loul Deng trade numerous times, and often our reasoning was based on the team’s current shape. We always felt as long as the Bulls were contenders Deng would be there. Then Derrick Rose went down earlier this season, and we both figured Deng’s time in Chicago would end before the February trade deadline. It would end late on January 7th, with the Bull’s longest current tenured player traded to Cleveland for Andrew Bynum, Sacramento’s upcoming first round pick, the option to trade picks with Cleveland in 2015, and Portland’s 2015 and 2016 second round picks. Bynum has been waived, meaning they will only have to pay him $6 million of a possible $12.25. The Bulls are entering what will likely be a full rebuild, but most significantly is Deng’s departure signals the end of an era.
Deng had been in Chicago for ten seasons. He was part of the Baby Bulls, and had played with and without Rose alongside him. As Rose healed from his first major injury Deng had kept things together, helping to anchor a stellar defense on a team that beat teams by holding them under 90. Through many changes in players and coaches Deng had been one of the few constants, and his departure signals the end of a long, successful tenure.
For Bynum the future is unclear. Another team could take a (much cheaper) chance on him, or retirement could be looming. What ever his future is, the dominant Bynum we remember from the Lakers will remain a memory.
The trade will hurt Bulls fans, but Chicago got good value for Deng. Sacramento’s pick will likely be in the top ten, and should the Bulls slide out of the playoffs they may find themselves with two top ten picks plus the Bobcat’s first if its outside the top 12 in a strong draft class. Cleveland’s 2015 first rounder can be swapped if its between 15-30, meaning the Bulls at best could end up with a mid 1st rounder. May not seem that valuable at first, but remember the Bulls found Jimmy Butler at pick 30.
Bulls fans should be upset to see Deng leave, but it appears a trade was the only viable option after he declined a three year, $30 million dollar extension. Knowing that the Bulls offered him the extension means they at least felt he was part of the long term plans, even if they were still planning to rebuild. Maybe Deng didn’t want to be part of that, and the Bulls decided it was time to move on.
The Bulls now have assets, which is always a good thing during a rebuild. Still, it hurts to see this trade go down; reminding me too much of the Bobcats trading away Gerald Wallace. It was clear the Bobcats had done all they could with Wallace as the leader, but trading away the last original Bobcat still doesn’t sit well at times today, even if one of the picks they acquired shaped the order of the 2011 draft, leading to the selection of Kemba Walker. The legacy of such a trade takes time to fully realize, and as the lasting impact of the Wallace trade is still being realized. The same will be turn with Deng, but Bulls fans should feel good about what these picks could materialize into.
For Cleveland, acquiring Deng means playoffs or bust. At 19 points per game he’s a strong upgrade over Alonzo Gee and Earl Clark at the small forward position, and should improve the offense of a team scoring only 95 points a game (ranked 25th). With his strong perimeter defense he is one of the better two way players in the league however, how he shapes Cleveland’s roster could be most significant. The Cavaliers have individual talent, but haven’t quite worked as a collective. Irving, Jack, even Waiters at times, are all offensive threats but require a lot of touches. Deng, coming from a ball sharing offensive style in Chicago, could be the player to connect the dots in a sense, helping to improve the flow of the offense while remaining a threat to score (obviously this is up to how Mike Brown uses him).
I’m unsure of how much better the Cavs will be with him however, as their problems extended beyond Andrew Bynum. I’d like to think they are a playoff team (this is the East remember) but unless they get the 6th seed or higher its not worth making the playoffs. Deng has an expiring contract, so it will be interesting whether he wants to extend his time in Cleveland beyond this season. If things go wrong and Deng doesn’t come back, the Cavaliers traded four picks for half a season.
Ultimately, I see Cleveland’s reasoning. With the East the mess that it is, finding stability and consistency could vault them from out of the playoffs to as high as 4th or 5th seed, and Deng is the type of player that could bring that. One trade changed Toronto’s season, and Cleveland will be hoping for the same.
Chicago Grade: B+ (Receiving an abundance of picks and clear cap space, but losing Deng will not sit well with fans or Tom Thibodeau).
Cleveland Grade: B+ (Deng makes them a playoff team but anything lower than 6th isn’t worth it, and should Deng decide not to extend his contract the team gave up four picks for Deng’s short stint).
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