Luol Deng .. Again? MIN-CHI-DEN

[shrink]

After seeing the rather meager amounts that LeBron and Bosh brought back, I just can't see CHI giving up Noah for Carmelo Anthony. While noah is over-rated by the general public, he is considered the heart of the Bulls team, and I doubt they'd trade him, even for Anthony. Deng needs to be included for salary-matching (Al Harrington would take too long), so I expect the Bulls best offer would be:

Deng (negative value) + Taj + up to three future 1sts (CHI 2011, 2013 and the CHA 2012)

Would DEN accept that? Good question, and it probably depends on Carmelo himself. If he is strongly pushing to get out, an unhappy Melo for a year that could walk for nothing is a dangerous game to play. If they feel they have a chance to change his mind, like the Lakers did with Kobe when he wanted out, thern they might say no. Rumor has it that they wanted both Brook Lopez AND Derrick Favors from NJN, which the Nets obviously declined, so they may still be asking for the moon.

A key here is going to be Luol Deng. Deng is not a bad player, but he is badly over-priced for far too many years ($51 mil through 2014). He's had one good season, but has a history of multiple injuries. Worse, DEN way over the lux, and the only thing worse than losing Melo for Deng, is paying Deng double, and still not being a legitimate contender for a ring against the superstar-laden teams. But from that package of Taj and picks, how much would DEN pay to turn Deng into cap space?

As you all know, I'm not a fan of Deng, but let's put a MIN-SPIN on this.

Would you "trade" our cap space for Deng + CHA 1st plus a late CHI pick?

We could always trade Webster or Wes Johnson (and maybe Brewer) later for other assets. Deng's expensive for a #3 guy, but he's young and he plays some defense .. and if he's healthy (a big "if") wouldn't be a bad fit for what Rambis is trying to do. Would you get involved, sending DEN some valuable cap space (they'd save double)?

[Esohny]

Nope. I'm happy with Beasley, Johnson, and Webster at SF.

I don't think two more picks outside the lottery are worth using all the cap space. If we were going this sort of win-sooner route, I'd much rather it be Iggy or some other SG/wing.

I think that in a year or two, Johnson matches a lot of what Deng brings, but hopefully without injuries and for about a third of the price.

[The J Rocka]

Yeah we are set for a decade with our SFs

[Three34]

Why would Chicago do that? What good does it do us? What would we then use that saved money on? If Deng has negative trade value due to the length of his contract, why wouldn't we just keep him until it got shorter, rather than giving away significant assets just to dump one of our best players? There's really no incentive for Chicago to do that. There was when we had the faint chance of pulling off a Heat-style heist, but that didn't happen and now it never can.

[jballer_13]

Ummm.... Chicago would get a presumably extended Melo AND get to keep Noah. Seems like a no-brainer from their end.

As for the Wolves, no to Deng.... too many minutes needed for Beasley, Wes, Webster, and even Lazar at the 3. He does nothing for our team but prolong the rebuilding.

[the_bruce]

We are way to overloaded at the 3 for any viable trade.

I like Deng a lot he's underrated on the boards because of his contract. Defensively he's great and he has a solid game all around. His contract is close to his actual value to me.

Beasley, Johnson, Brewer, and Webster are all 3's in my eyes. While they can all play other positions I think their ideal position is the 3.

Maybe work it in with ATL. Deng for williams + crawford? Deng is an ideal fit for that team, but sends them well into the lux.

Horford
Smith
Deng
Johnson
Bibby/Teague

Thats a great team.

Crawford is just a rental here and probably doesn't need to be included due to our cap space. However MN would benefit from his addition next year.

Something like that sends out Webster + Bassy to DEN. Deng + Brewer to ATL. Williams + Crawford here? Maybe Crawford to DEN. I dunno Ill think about it!

[shrink]

I'm playing devil's advocate here, since I am no fan of Deng, but being overloaded at a position is a temporary problem. If we added Deng for assets, we could certainly trade away 1-2 of Wes Johnson, Martell Webster or Corey Brewer for better-fitting assets. Its not like any of those players are such superstars that we can't be a team to wiggle the roster.

[john2jer]

Is Deng, with his contract, better than Wes Johnson with his? Or better than Beasley with his?

This is an easy no for me. I wouldn't have done it when we needed a SF, I wouldn't do it now that we're loaded with young SFs. Not in box, not with a fox. Not in a house, not with a mouse. I do not like green eggs and ham.

[Krapinsky]

Lay off the drugs.

[moss_is_1]

Deng is underrated because of his deal, he's a nice defender and solid offensive player, but we have way too many sfs already and of course he does make too much $$.

[Three34]

Ummm.... Chicago would get a presumably extended Melo

Someone - and it seems petty to mention names - forgot to read that bit. Let's not finger point, though. It matters not who it was.

[jballer_13]

Run along now!...... all kidding aside, love your site.