NBA Trade Rumors 2014 Update: Chicago Bulls’ Luol Deng Getting Interest From Los Angeles Lakers, Cavaliers, Spurs, Nets, More

By Paul John Rivera| Dec 30, 2013

The Chicago Bulls already declared that they are not interested in trading Luol Deng before the trade deadline, but seven teams are still reportedly interested in acquiring the All-Star forward.

CSN Chicago reported that the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Toronto Raptors are interested in acquiring Deng before the trade deadline.

The report also suggested that these teams will also be aggressive in pursuing Deng once he becomes a free agent next summer despite the fact that the All-Star forward previously said that he wants to stay and end his career in Chicago.

Some teams, who are looking to shed cap space after the season, are also willing to have Deng as a half-season rental, but the Bulls' asking price is reportedly too high -- that price being a young player and future first-round pick.

The 28-year-old veteran is having another stellar season for the Bulls, averaging 19.6 points to go along with 7.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game this season, as per NBA.com.

Deng is one of only three NBA players averaging at least 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists this season -- Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant and the Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Love are the other two.

Deng admitted that his impending free agency has something to do with his strong play, but he quickly added that he is just doing his best to show the Bulls what he can bring to the table.

When asked if he is ready to play in another city if the Bulls decide to go into another direction, Deng said that he will be ready to listen to other team's offer, but he admitted that leaving Chicago, which has been his home since he was a 19-year-old rookie, will be a weird feeling.

"I pretty much grew up here. So for me to think about being somewhere else, it's a weird feeling," Deng said. "But at the same time, I don't know what it's like to be somewhere else. I've been here my whole career. Maybe it's better, maybe it's not. I don't know that. The best thing I can do is play, be the best I can be and hope it works out."

Related Stories