OT: Luol Deng out of favor in CHI?

Apparently they like Salmons there. I think of him as a classic "Uncle Cliffy" type - great role player who becomes a bad sub-star with an expanded role and forgets the hustle and all-round game that got him there.

So, is Deng done, or just out of sorts? Once upon a time I seriously considered a LaMarcus-Deng swap. Now, though, I'm thinking Batum is as good as we need.

 

LaMarcus for Deng? That would be a horrible trade for Portland.

I am glad you didn't pull the trigger on that one.

 

Anything that gives the Bulls some cap flexibility to re-sign Gordon is good for Deng at this point. Salmons is clearly better.

Deng for Travis Outlaw would be one the Bulls probably would do.

 

Then, next season, when Deng is playing 8-12 mpg, he'll become a cancer.

Not interested.

 

Deng is something of an Enigma to me. I can't tell if his struggles this year (injuries aside) are more to do with Vinny Del Negro's 'system' (I use the term loosely), or just Deng not quite being the 10 million dollar man they made him out to be?

If the Blazers really did trade for Deng and only had to give up Outlaw to do it, that's something you'd have to look long and hard at.

 

That's easy, Deng would easily play starter's minutes.

Batum definitely has potential to be a big minute starter in a few years, but I don't forsee him being a consistent enough offensive weapon to be getting 30+ minutes a game for awhile.

 

Salmons is fools gold. Think Bobby Simmons.

 

Exactly. If you trade for Luol Deng, it's because you think he can be a good starting forward in the league still. Not because you want him to be a 12 minute backup. That's just dumb.

 

No thanks. We have our SF of the future/present, thank you.

 

Deng isn't the best fit in my opinion. Yes, he's young, plays decent defense and rebounds well for the SF position. But he can't shoot that well from outside, which is certainly a concern. I don't know if he's worth the 10-million he's getting paid. For somewhere around 7-8 million, maybe (that's Ron Artest money FWIW).

To be honest, if we have a PF who liked to shoot outside more (like an Antawn Jamison) then I see someone like Deng and his strong inside game being more of an asset. He's clearly a whole tier behind the likes of Caron Butler and Gerald Wallace.

I'm more content to stand pat at this point. But who knows what the situation is. In KP we trust.

 

If we didn't have Batum, I'd be on the bandwagon. But I'm not sure he brings anything to our team that is missing anymore.

One problem is I don't know how good Deng is. He's gotten worse as he ages, but he's so damn young that he's still filled with all the potential. He's flamed out under both Skiles and Del Negro... he hasn't developed like he should. I don't know if he just wouldn't be as good as everyone thought or if he just needs a change of scenery.

 

Well, let's be fair here, Ron-ron is only paid that little because of his character issues, if he was getting paid on talent alone he'd easily be making 13-15 million a year.

Isn't the power forward you describe LaMarcus? In terms of spacing the floor an 18 to 20 foot jumper is pretty much the same as a 22-24 three point shot ... and LaMarcus has progressively shown greater range, extended all the way out past the stripe in the past few weeks, so from that perspective Deng's 12-15 foot midrange game and inside drives could be very complimentary.

This summer is 'shit or get off the pot' for KP; this will likely be the last time he has any cap space to play around with for years to come (ie, engaging in lopsided trades where salaries don't have to be matched, or signing a free agent) I still think this roster has a few holes it needs to fill before it can stand pat. But you're right that none of know what the situation really is, and we have good reason to trust that KP will do his best to make the team better (by making moves or sticking with what he's got).

 

No thx on Deng. The Blazers are fine.

 

If Pritchard can get a player at the main "need" position, point guard, who can be a long-term solution (like Sessions), then he should use the cash and assets like Outlaw for that. If such a player is not available, I'd be perfectly happy for KP to use that cash and Outlaw to get Deng.

Yes, Deng may be a bit overpriced, but as Nik says...this is the "shit or get off the pot" time. He can't roll that money over and use it on something else later. I think Deng has the ability to be a very good player, and he'd be a reasonable risk, when all that is at stake is money that can never be used again and Outlaw.

 

Funny how times change. Now Deng's playing well again. But I wonder if Chicago will be tempted to sell high, particularly with Wade being a FA this Summer. Would people do a Deng-for-Travis, Webster and Bayless trade? That would, admittedly, only clear out Travis's salary at the end of this year, but every little helps. Our objections before were:
1. Deng is done because of injuries (apparently not true, but still a worry)
2. Deng would stand in the way of Batum (but we don't HAVE Batum for the foreseeable future, and Webster has looked pretty clueless).

 

I know many primarily just didn't like his contract, but I'd say there's a good chance we missed the boat on him. It pays to buy low and sell high, and I notice too often, people don't like the idea, because the guy is low at that point. And then once he improves, they want to acquire him. Not saying you specifically. You obviously wanted him when he was down with this thread. Just notice the same thing happened with Conley, where people mocked him as a bust, and then after the second half of last season, a lot wanted to acquire him.

 

Then let's do it! I will take a chance on Deng. We need a starting type SF more than an offensive chucker.

 

I don't think it would take Lamarcus to get Deng. I think it can be done cheaper, better. But it could be done.

 

No way in hell we give anyone LMA. I was just going on their comment that it may just take Outlaw to get him. HAHAHAHHA