Bulls Might Now Be More Likely To Trade Luol Deng

[Ice Man]

If Deng was a 32 minute a game player, he wouldn't be too valuable. He needs those minutes to produce.

Still a small sample size, but Deng has a PER of 18 this season. With a lot of iso play, it's not as if he's just getting fed inside on cuts (although that happens some). That's the real deal, that's not just a volume player.

The past 3 seasons he has been 15.5, 14.1, 15.1. That's a different level of player and then your comment holds.

I think, as I wrote earlier, this is what Lu looks like when he is healthy, and that he'll stay near 18. If so, he should be kept. If it's fools' gold and he drops back near 15, let him walk. That guy can be replaced.

[Ice the knees]

If Deng was a 32 minute a game player, he wouldn't be too valuable. He needs those minutes to produce.

Still a small sample size, but Deng has a PER of 18 this season. With a lot of iso play, it's not as if he's just getting fed inside on cuts (although that happens some). That's the real deal, that's not just a volume player.

The past 3 seasons he has been 15.5, 14.1, 15.1. That's a different level of player and then your comment holds.

I think, as I wrote earlier, this is what Lu looks like when he is healthy, and that he'll stay near 18. If so, he should be kept. If it's fools' gold and he drops back near 15, let him walk. That guy can be replaced.

It's not a small sample size though. Look at those last 3 seasons you posted...The guy is what, in his 10th year? He's in a nice rhythm right now, that happens, and he looks good. Every ball player gets hot, so good for Deng on that...But certainly you can't believe this is who he is

[Ice Man]

But certainly you can't believe this is who he is

Normally I wouldn't. Players don't reinvent themselves at Deng's age. But he was this good once, in his early days. Perhaps this is what he looks like when at full health, but he has spent the past half decade nursing problems.

Perhaps.

[blumeany]

Deng is totally playing for his contract. I think you'd be hard pressed to ever find another stretch like he's put together. A sudden magical development? No, it's a contract year.

[GoBlue72391]

Over his last five games (which are the five without Rose), here's what Deng is netting:

27.4 points, 8.4 FTA, and .548 FG%

Trade value climbing, hopefully.

I will take the contrarian position here.

1) This is the true Lu Deng. It's not that he's trying harder this year, because he always tries. It's just that he's finally free of injuries and fully healthy.

2) People have it backwards. He's not an old 28. He is a highly disciplined, fit player who does not party. He is a young 28.

I don't think Lu was a true All Star the past 2 years, those were kinda charity picks for services rendered in the past, and finding a slot for a Bull. This year he has been the real deal.

I think you resign this guy if you want to win.

Noah
Taj/Mirotic
Deng
Butler/Snell
Rose

Plus 2 mid first-round draft picks, plus money freed up from amnestying Boozer, trading MDJ (I assume), and Kirk leaving the roster, money used to sign one free agent. That makes 3 incoming to fill the holes of a 4th big man, a good backup PG, and a 4th wing.

Sure, that all depends on Rose being near top form, but so does every other scenario.

People keep saying that the only reason Deng is playing this well is because it's a contract year, and I'm sure that has something to do with it, but I think this is just who he is when he's healthy and has two fully functional hands.

[Mech Engineer]

But certainly you can't believe this is who he is

Normally I wouldn't. Players don't reinvent themselves at Deng's age. But he was this good once, in his early days. Perhaps this is what he looks like when at full health, but he has spent the past half decade nursing problems.

Perhaps.

I think the Deng from Indiana's game is what you want and not the guy from yesterday's game. He is not going to be successful being the 1st option like yesterday. I do think the Bulls can get a top 5-6 protected pick for Deng or ideally a non-protected pick for 2015 draft. He can be pretty valuable for many teams.

[MrSparkle]

I agree, it's a combo of health, contract year and circumstance. He may be putting stats up but we've lost 6 out of 7 games, most to mediocre squads.

[GoBlue72391]

playing heavy minutes is a great deal of Deng's value. If Deng was a 32 minute a game player, he wouldn't be too valuable. He needs those minutes to produce.

That's absurd. Why would he only play 32 MPG? 36 MPG is the norm for quality starters, and his Per 36 numbers are very good.

To say Deng is only good because he plays a ton of minutes is just selling him short.

[Ice Man]

Deng is totally playing for his contract. I think you'd be hard pressed to ever find another stretch like he's put together. A sudden magical development? No, it's a contract year.

The choice is either that Lu is a dog who is now trying hard, or he was constantly beat up and is now healthy, or that his good play is a fluke.

I flat out do not believe #1. You can choose from either #2 or #3, but nope I am not buying #1, there is absolutely nothing in the history of Lu Deng to suggest that is the type of person that he is.

[GoBlue72391]

He may be putting stats up but we've lost 6 out of 7 games, most to mediocre squads.

To be honest, he's not getting a whole lot of help out there on a consistent basis. Just Taj really, with a bit of Snell.

Our defense has been really bad too as of late.

[GoBlue72391]

Look at those last 3 seasons you posted...

The guy was playing with one hand and a myriad of other injuries and ailments during that time. And how are you discounting his '10-11 year? He was great that year.

The guy is what, in his 10th year? He's in a nice rhythm right now, that happens, and he looks good. Every ball player gets hot, so good for Deng on that...But certainly you can't believe this is who he is

I do believe that this is the real Luol Deng. He's healthy for the first time since '10-11. We're 16 games in, so this is more than merely a hot stretch.

[GoBlue72391]

Deng is totally playing for his contract. I think you'd be hard pressed to ever find another stretch like he's put together. A sudden magical development? No, it's a contract year.

His play will probably level off a bit, but there's no reason to think that when healthy he can't meet or exceed his play during the '10-11 year. It's just that right now he's playing like the '06-07 Lu.

It being a contract year is a factor, but to attribute it only to that is ridiculous in my opinion. I mean, he's trying just as hard as he always has. It's not like the ball's just magically going in the basket more now that it's a contract year.

[GoBlue72391]

Deng is totally playing for his contract. I think you'd be hard pressed to ever find another stretch like he's put together. A sudden magical development? No, it's a contract year.

The choice is either that Lu is a dog who is now trying hard, or he was constantly beat up and is now healthy, or that his good play is a fluke.

I flat out do not believe #1. You can choose from either #2 or #3, but nope I am not buying #1, there is absolutely nothing in the history of Lu Deng to suggest that is the type of person that he is.

I agree completely. To attribute his play largely or even solely to being a contract year is a slap in the face to Luol Deng. It's not like we're talking about an Eddy Curry type guy here, where he only tries during a contract year. Lu's playing just as hard as he always has. The only difference between now and then is his health and two working hands.

[blumeany]

The argument for Deng has ALWAYS been health. There's always been an excuse one season or another on why he isn't playing as well as he could. Guys, he's in his 10th season. His play right now is an absolute outlier vs. his normal production. And the timing couldn't be any better for him: contract year and during a lost season when he could easily be traded.

Sorry, I just don't buy this 'health' idea. Deng has always shown flashes every once in a while - which makes it all the more maddening when he comes right back down to earth and can't perform in the bigger games vs. better opponents.

[coldfish]

I agree completely. To attribute his play largely or even solely to being a contract year is a slap in the face to Luol Deng. It's not like we're talking about an Eddy Curry type guy here, where he only tries during a contract year. Lu's playing just as hard as he always has. The only difference between now and then is his health and two working hands.

And an offense that puts value on motion and player involvement. His assist rate continues to be almost double his career average as a result.

....

Good point about the defense. Lots of bad games lately.

[mschmidt64]

You have no chance of winning this year without a healthy Derrick Rose. The Bulls need to ask themselves who is going to be part of the next championship run they want to make when Rose is healthy. Is that run in 2014, with the same core?

If yes, then fine, but then commit to Deng, get him locked in and signed. If you are going to jerk him around and let him leave in FA, then there is no reason to continue with this core of guys.

My personal view is that we've seen what this team can do with Rose-Deng-Noah-Boozer. It can play terrific defense, it can win a ton of games, but it can't beat Miami in a 7 game series. It also has serious issues with staying healthy.

Given that, I am not inclined to make bringing back that group (2 of whom are 28 with a ton of miles on a history of injuries in Noah and Deng) my Plan A. I would have been planning on making 1 final run with this group with Derrick healthy this year and if they failed, then breaking up the band. Derrick's injury has prematurely answered this issue for the team. It's not going to win a title. They can't even beat bad teams consistently right now.

There is no sense in hanging onto these guys then. Deng should be able to fetch something, but his real value is not in what he brings back, its the points he is no longer scoring for you, allowing the Bulls to slip into the top 10 of the draft. Combine that with the Cats pick, and possibly a late first that Deng brings in, and you have plenty of ammo to get a real #2 sidekick for Rose moving forward.

And the great news is.... you have flexibility now too with Deng gone. Can you draft an elite SF like Rodney Hood? Great, Butler is your 2 of the future. Or did you trade up and get Marcus Smart at 6, who will be your James Harden at the 2? Ok, Butler plays the 3 now and is just as good there.

Add in that you can rid yourself of Boozer's contract and replace him with Mirotic, and now this team has cap space to go after a free agent as well. With no major contracts in need of re-signing for a couple years.

Golden opportunity.

All you need to do is trade Deng (I might trade Taj too).

Its not tanking, its a no brainer.

[Dioxide]

I just posted my thoughts on Lu in the GT but i will give my short version that i would like to keep Deng for up to 14mil/year. Honestly feel he deserves it, Boozer however i would like GONE.

[League Circles]

There is another possibility in addition to health, contract year, or fluke. Luol might simply have found another level to his game via mental breakthrough. He may have just unlocked potential that has been there for many years. I've been waiting for this. I always thought that despite great effort, he was capable of much more.

That isn't at all unprecedented even for a player of his age. See guys like Z-Bo, maybe Dirk, Nash, and many others who have arguably played their best ball on "the wrong side of 30". Hell MJ considers himself to have been his best, or at least to have helped his team the most, in 95-96 when he was in his mid 30s. Maybe Tony Parker has also played his best in his 30s? There are many IMO.

[Ice the knees]

playing heavy minutes is a great deal of Deng's value. If Deng was a 32 minute a game player, he wouldn't be too valuable. He needs those minutes to produce.

That's absurd. Why would he only play 32 MPG? 36 MPG is the norm for quality starters, and his Per 36 numbers are very good.

To say Deng is only good because he plays a ton of minutes is just selling him short.

I know. He's not good because he plays a ton of minutes. But it is his greatest attribute

[Ice the knees]

Look at those last 3 seasons you posted...

The guy was playing with one hand and a myriad of other injuries and ailments during that time. And how are you discounting his '10-11 year? He was great that year.

The guy is what, in his 10th year? He's in a nice rhythm right now, that happens, and he looks good. Every ball player gets hot, so good for Deng on that...But certainly you can't believe this is who he is

I do believe that this is the real Luol Deng. He's healthy for the first time since '10-11. We're 16 games in, so this is more than merely a hot stretch.

Deng has never been great. He's a good role player. It's a 5 game stretch, not 16

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