Founder
There have been rumors of the Chicago Bulls trying to trade All-Star forward Luol Deng throughout the offseason, most notably one featuring the Washington Wizards where Chicago receives the No. 3 overall pick.
Numerous sources have reported that Deng and the Bulls have been trying to work a contract extension throughout the summer. However, according to CSN Chicago, talks between both sides broke down.
Now this doesn't mean Deng's future with the Bulls will be coming to an end. As the Chicago Tribune reports, the plan for Deng and his agent is to have the contract talks work out after the 2013-14 NBA season is officially over, which is towards the end of June 2014. However, despite there is high chance Deng is staying at this moment, he can still go elsewhere.
As Deng's agent, Herb Rudoy, tells the Tribune, the 28-year-old forward will be testing the free agency market next offseason.
“Luol has taken the position that he will definitely go through the free-agent process,” Rudoy says.
Deng will be joined be a slew of other forwards who are likely to be free agents next offseason, such as Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers, Zach Randolph of the Memphis Grizzlies, Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks and, of course, LeBron James of the Miami Heat.
Chicago has a lot to think about next offseason.
They can decide to amnesty Carlos Boozer and be able to re-sign Deng, or they could go after one of the free agents previously listed to replace him. Jimmy Butler could also be the new man at small forward as well, and Chicago could go ahead and sign a new starting shooting guard.
It's going to be an interesting offseason coming ahead for the Bulls right now.
But for right now, their only goal in mind is to get Derrick Rose back on the court as they look to dethrone the Heat in the Eastern Conference for the upcoming season.
