Luol Deng

[Cashius X]

I think that would be ideal.

We just aren't going to get anyone comparable to him in the Draft or FA.

I'd rather try and swing a trade for Martell Webster. The Wizards already have Otto and they'll most likely resign Trevor Ariza. As it stands, Martell doesn't play as much as he should. I don't think he'd be too hard to get.

 

[shoes22]

Obviously his Achilles is playing some role in the limited athleticism lately, but have we considered the possibility that we're just not using him the best way? He never looked this mediocre at any time when he was with Chicago. He's a cutter, first and foremost. It's a role he's perfected.

But when you hand him the ball and ask him to dribble into traffic against two or three defenders and make something happen, you really are not putting him in a position to succeed. I've seen that play run more than a few times, and it does my head in.

 

[spydy13]

Obviously his Achilles is playing some role in the limited athleticism lately, but have we considered the possibility that we're just not using him the best way? He never looked this mediocre at any time when he was with Chicago. He's a cutter, first and foremost. It's a role he's perfected.

But when you hand him the ball and ask him to dribble into traffic against two or three defenders and make something happen, you really are not putting him in a position to succeed. I've seen that play run more than a few times, and it does my head in.

I think his struggles are definitely a combination of these two things. Remember how good he looked playing off Varejao?

Unless we are sure his Achilles problem can be solved by an off-season surgery and we are committed to running an offense that he can work in, I still think it would be crazy to commit major money to him though.

 

[Jack Brickman]

I no longer have ESPN Insider, but a few days ago Amin Elhassan wrote an article on what the 2014 free agents should get paid this year. He says Deng is worth 3 years/$22.5 million. Again, I have not read the actual article, so I am not sure if he is using PER or some other metric as the basis for determining "value," or "contribution to winning." Obviously, he does factor in age and injury history.

http://www.slcdunk.com/nba-free-agency/2014/2/27/5454292/nba-free-agency-2014-lebron-james-carmelo-anthony-chris-bosh-dirk-nowitzki

Three years at 22.5 million would be a steal. Sadly, there's no way Deng is signing for that much after turning down ten million per from Chicago.

 

[supermario21]

I think Deng turning down $30 million in Chicago had a lot to do with the way he was handled, more than the $ itself. Luol doesn't strike me as the guy that just wants the big contract, he wants a good situation/atmosphere. Despite being a good team, the training staff did a horrible job with Luol and he's lucky that he's still playing basketball after that botched spinal tap. As the cap continues to tighten, I don't think people are going to be throwing Josh Smith money at Luol. In that case, it might be easier to keep him, though Hawes would be my top FA priority.

 

[falcon2294]

I could see him going to the suns this offseason. I always read about how they have the best traning staff. I mean look what happened to Steve Nash the moment he left.

 

[kovanovich]

I'd rather try and swing a trade for Martell Webster. The Wizards already have Otto and they'll most likely resign Trevor Ariza. As it stands, Martell doesn't play as much as he should. I don't think he'd be too hard to get.

It's hard to say what the Wizards will do, but I can't see them keeping Ariza, Webster, and Porter next year. Three players who all basically just play SF (yes, Webster has played a lot of minutes this year at SG, mainly to make room for Ariza at the 3). Ariza is now making $7.7M in the final year of a 5 year MLE deal, and at his age (turns 29 in June), he'll be looking at his last big contract, and based on the year he has had will probably command a 4-5 year deal starting at around $8M. We'll see what type of market he commands. Anyway, I just can't see the Wizards devoting that much money to the SF position (Ariza: ~$8M, Webster: $5.4M, Porter: $4.5M). Reallocating some of that money to a position of greater need makes sense. The Wiz could also just let Ariza walk and rely on Webster and Porter. But they have flexibility because Webster definitely has value and could be traded.

 

[Cashius X]

It's hard to say what the Wizards will do, but I can't see them keeping Ariza, Webster, and Porter next year. Three players who all basically just play SF (yes, Webster has played a lot of minutes this year at SG, mainly to make room for Ariza at the 3). Ariza is now making $7.7M in the final year of a 5 year MLE deal, and at his age (turns 29 in June), he'll be looking at his last big contract, and based on the year he has had will probably command a 4-5 year deal starting at around $8M. We'll see what type of market he commands. Anyway, I just can't see the Wizards devoting that much money to the SF position (Ariza: ~$8M, Webster: $5.4M, Porter: $4.5M). Reallocating some of that money to a position of greater need makes sense. The Wiz could also just let Ariza walk and rely on Webster and Porter. But they have flexibility because Webster definitely has value and could be traded.

Exactly. Bottom line is there will be SFs available this summer. Whether it is through the draft, FA, or trade we will have opportunities to acquire a good player at that position. I'd like to resign Deng but if he demands too much money Im not an advocate of overpaying him. If he doesn't want to accept what we're willing to pay him, let him walk. In a summer like this coming up he's replaceable.

 

[rabman_gold]

To some of these guys, money is everything. They don't care if the CBA changed. It will be tough to attract players if your salary cap limit is too low. I liked Deng as a guy who can make offense and get defensive when he has to. It's the first time since LeBron. But hey, if he can't sign with us, let's hope we get someone good who won't be pathetic.

 

[cavsfanclanman]

Yeah, I think there's no way he takes less than 10 a year, unless he's going to a serious contender. Otherwise I see him getting at least 11 or 12 a year, and 3 years minimum.

 

[morgwon]

How can Chicago be better after they traded him? Makes know sense at all. He was having his best year of his career

Chicago was still recovering from injuries at the time. Butler was in and out of the lineup so was Hinrich. Also signing DJ Augustin was a big move. 21-8 since the beginning of the year. It just so happened that the Bulls were getting healthier at the time Deng was traded. No way would the Bulls have traded him if they were firing on all cylinders as they are now.

If he is going to take a discount I think it will be back in Chicago. He is very close with the entire team.

 

[OptimusPrime]

but have we considered the possibility that we're just not using him the best way?

Some of us have been saying this since we traded for him.

 

[DatDudeZ3]

The Bullshit Whisperer ripped Deng a new one in his writing from last night.

 

[The Cav Sloth]

The Bullshit Whisperer ripped Deng a new one in his writing from last night.

Here is what The Bullshit Whisperer said " -- I can also tell you that Luol Deng is driving me nuts. I can live with him shooting 5-of-14 and throwing up an airballed 3-pointer (both happened Saturday). But his lousy demeanor needs to end. Deng too often mopes and just acts like he doesn't want to be here. Well, guess what? You're here. Man up and make the best of it. You're still under contract. Honor it by leading and behaving like a winner, even when the shots aren't falling."

The Bullshit Whisperer is a beat writer that drives me nuts, especially around the trade deadline. :chuckles: I do agree with Sam about what he said about Deng. I mean he was a guy I really liked in Chicago but his attitude seems to suck in Cleveland. It is probably due to the fact that he is in a contract year and he is looking worse and worse. I'm sure so of it is the way we're using him but a lot of it is on him. Sometimes I'm even more irritated at him than Jack. I have accepted that Jack will never look like a good player with us but I had high hopes with Deng. Jack is making 6 million (way over paid) and Deng was laughing at his offer from Chicago for 10 million a year. Like The Bullshit Whisperer said, it seems like he doesn't want to be here. Oh well, he's only hurting himself and his pocket book.

 

[czvo]

Guys have got to stop standing still every time Luol gets it. He's not the type of player that is going to draw the defense with the dribble and kick out. He's a pretty good passer, but guys have to move. Every time he gets it in the post he looks so damn frustrated out there. He sees guys standing and tries to force the issue with his own shot.