OT: Luol Deng out of favor in CHI?

[Rastapopoulos]

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.

 

[LittleAlex]

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.

 

[Денг Гордон]

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.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

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.

 

[Nikolokolus]

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.

 

[Nikolokolus]

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

Not interested.

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.

 

[Masbee]

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.

Salmons is fools gold. Think Bobby Simmons.

 

[Денг Гордон]

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.

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.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

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

 

[BalancedMan]

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.

 

[BengalDuck]

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.

 

[Nikolokolus]

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

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).

 

[Denny Crane]

FWIW, I think Deng's been hurt and played through it for the most part until the MRI showed a stress fracture in his leg. For a stretch, he looked quite healthy and quite good.

The only gamble is whether he'd be healthy. He's only 23, so he could well turn out like Caron Butler (who was hurt at about the same age, if I do remember).

 

[RoyToy]

No thx on Deng. The Blazers are fine.

 

[Minstrel]

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.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

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).

 

[RR7]

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.

 

[magnifier661]

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

 

[hasoos]

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

 

[magnifier661]

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

 

[andalusian]

I want Derrick Rose to start playing well again, so we can do a Capt. Kirk trade. That would be a much better trade for us. Batum will be back - and he will solve our problems at SF while Kirk will add another good perimeter defender at a different position.

But, Deng will be nice to have. A long-term Deng/Batum rotation is nice - but since JB is out - what is our future at PG? Blake resigned and ride Miller until he is too old and slow?

Long-term thinking, Deng and SF issues are less important than upgrading the PG position for a 3-5 years down the road.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

what is our future at PG?

I'm only half being facetious. He's actually having a rough time of it scoring-wise in Bologna, and they keep signing famous names from college basketball of the past to play PG (most recently Scoonie Penn), but he played big minutes in the last game, and they're winning, and I think his role is exactly what Blake's is with us at the moment - glue guy with good handles who plays good perimeter defense. And we saw that bad numbers in the Serie A doesn't automatically mean bad numbers in the NBA (see Jennings, Brandon).

 

[andalusian]

I'm only half being facetious. He's actually having a rough time of it scoring-wise in Bologna, and they keep signing famous names from college basketball of the past to play PG (most recently Scoonie Penn), but he played big minutes in the last game, and they're winning, and I think his role is exactly what Blake's is with us at the moment - glue guy with good handles who plays good perimeter defense.

I honestly have not seen him play since the summer-league games more than a year ago - so it is hard for me to say.

Maybe he is, maybe he is not. Who knows?

 

[RR7]

Hey, he at least looks slightly more grown up. Doesn't look like a 12 year old, so that's nice. Does he speak English well, anyone know? I know it was hard for Batum, not knowing the language well, on the court. I imagine for a PG, it would be that much mroe difficult.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

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

I bloody hope so. The "LaMarcus for Deng" thought was in Aldridge's rookie year. I haven't entertained that thought in a LONG time.

 

[andalusian]

He can chew his fingernails just like LeBron.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Does he speak English well, anyone know?

Yes.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I honestly have not seen him play since the summer-league games more than a year ago - so it is hard for me to say.

Maybe he is, maybe he is not. Who knows?

Here's what he did against Tony Parker this Summer. (Actually, that was the game Finland lost. They won the other game against France.)

 

[Minstrel]

I've always liked Deng. I've been willing to take the risk on his contract for a couple of years...would have been nice if Portland had.

Deng is also pretty big and strong for a wing...he might have been able to give some minutes at power forward, as Outlaw did. 13 minutes backing up Aldridge, 25 minutes at small forward.

 

[andalusian]

Yes.

That's not good.

If we have learned something from the entire Heikki Kovalainen vs. Kimi Raikkonen/Mika Häkkinen thing - it's the Finns that you can't hear/understand that turn out to be great athletes