Monday night while one of the best National Title games we have seen was playing, the Bulls and Cavs were making a deal that took had to take the back burner because of the great title game.
The Bulls sent 9 year veteran Luol Deng to the Cavs for Andrew #YoloBynum and 3 picks. This move was a salary saving move because they cut Bynum on Tuesday. Will #YoloBynum take his talents to South Beach (word to Ron)? The Bulls saved around $20 million in the deal so for a team who is 6th in the East, but no real threat to win the ship it makes total sense. The deal also brokered 3 picks that have a lot of stipulations on when they will receive them and how.
Deng has been a staple for the Bulls organization since he was drafted in 04. They say he turned down a 3 year $30 million extension a few days before the trade. Deng is due to be a free agent during the summer. The rumor mill was hot all summer about the possibility of trading Deng, but with Derrick Rose returning from an ACL injury the Bulls front office didn’t make a deal. With how good the Bulls played without Rose during the playoffs they figured with their star back in the fold they may be able to make some noise in the East. After Rose tore his MCL earlier during the 2013-14 season John Paxson and Gar Forman decided to cut bait on Deng and save on finances.
Deng has been the Bulls number two option for years and him as the number one option is a solid option, but it isn’t who they want to build around with Rose out. With the uncertainty of how Rose will return, the picks they have stock piled will help the Bulls get more talented wing players.
The Bulls still have the amnesty in their pocket so this summer Carlos Boozer and his hefty salary may be dumped. Years too late for some Bulls fans, but with the slight youth movement going on in Chi-town you see where the higher-ups are trying to take this franchise.
Bulls fans almost had #YoloBynum in the Chi that would’ve been classic. The Cavs got a solid player, but does this trade make any sense for a who had a stock load of picks? We would need another post to even into the Cavs side of this, but if everything works out for the Bulls with these picks this might be highway robbery in the future.
Reblogged this on Imarashed.
I don’t think you mention the Cavs here and that’s a mistake. This is a good trade for them because their 3 position has been wack and it allows them more flexibility with their lineup. Also they leave intact the protected pick they got in the Hickson deal. Good move Cavs.