Luol Deng retires after 15 NBA seasons

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

Former NBA player Luol Deng announced his retirement on Thursday. He played 15 NBA seasons.

He has retired as a member of the Chicago Bulls. He began his career with the franchise.

Luol Deng goes to the basket against the Brooklyn Nets in Game two of their 2013 Eastern Conference NBA Playoff game (Getty Images)

“We’re very fortunate and humbled that Luol has chosen to retire as a Chicago Bull,” said President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Reinsdorf. “He was a role model on and off the court during his nine-plus years in Chicago, and he gave everything he had to help us win. I want to thank Luol for not only what he accomplished on the court for the team, but also for the leadership he demonstrated through his philanthropic efforts.”

The 34-year-old Wau, South Sudan native, who played college basketball at Duke, was the seventh overall pick by the Bulls in the 2004 NBA Draft. He spent a decade with the Bulls franchise.

“From the moment we made Luol Deng the seventh overall pick of the 2004 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls became a better team,” said Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson. “Luol carried himself with first-class professionalism and leadership, helping lead his Bulls team to eight playoff appearances during his time in Chicago. We’ll always remember his All-Star career and the fierce competitiveness he brought to both ends of the floor every night.”

After leaving the Bulls, he played for the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. His final season came during the 2018-19 season with the Timberwolves.

The Bulls will honor Deng at a date to be determined during the season. In a move to allow Deng to sign with the franchise, the team released Perrion Callandret.

In his career, he appeared in 902 games, including 828 starts. He averaged 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 34.3 minutes per game.

Lakers defeat Bulls without Russell, Young

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Chicago Bulls, 96-90, at the United Center on Wednesday night.

The Lakers improved to 10-10 on the season. It’s the second win in their past three games for the Lakers, who were without D’Angelo Russell and Nick Young.

José Calderón (Getty Images)

The Bulls dropped to 10-7. Chicago has lost for the second time in their past three games. They’re 4-2 at home.

Young suffered a strained right calf on Tuesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. He’s expected to be out two-to-four weeks. Russell sat out as he recovers from left knee soreness.

The Bulls were without Doug McDermott as he continues to be in concussion protocol. He’s missed seven straight games after being injured in the Nov. 12 game when he fell on his face and caused the injury when he lost his balance.

Julius Randle led the Lakers with 13 points, while Luol Deng added 10 points. Fellow starters Timofey Mozgov, rookie Brandon Ingram and José Calderón combined for 17 points.

Los Angeles had 56 bench points. Both Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams had 18 points off the bench.

The Bulls had 22 points from Jimmy Butler. Dwyane Wade added 17, while Rajon Rondo had 14. Starters Taj Gibson and Robin Lopez combined for 21 points.

Chicago had limited bench production, as they had just 16 bench points. Nikola Mirotić led these players with six points.

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Grizzlies are interested in trading for C’s Jeff Green, Heat’s Luol Deng

By Anthony Caruso III
Posted: January 8th, 2014 at 1:35 AM EST

The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the best teams in the NBA. Yet, they’re looking to make improvements for the upcoming stretch run of the season.

The Grizz currently hold a 25-10 record, the best in the Southeast Division. They trail the Golden State Warriors (28-5) and the Portland TrailBlazers (27-8) in the Western Conference.

Jeff Green (Getty Images)

They are reportedly interested in trading for Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green, or Miami Heat forward Luol Deng. Both players have long-term deals, and Deng signed with the Heat during the off-season.

Green is signed through the 2015-16 season, which is a player option. He’s due $8.9 million this season, then $9.4 million in 2014-15 and the same amount during the player option.

Deng signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Heat. He’s also coming off of a game, where he scored just six points with one rebound and three assists in 25 minutes on January 4th against the Brooklyn Nets.

With the Celtics rebuilding, it is more likely that Green will be dealt than Deng. He’s also been linked to trades since the summer time, but nothing has materialized.

Green had just eight points, one rebound, two assists, and a steal on Wednesday night. With a trade involving Green, it would allow James Young, Marcus Smart, and Evan Turner to get more playing time.

This season, Green has played in 32 games and is averaging 17.9 points per game. He’s also averaging 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.8 steals.

The 28-year-old Green has been with the Celtics for the past four seasons following a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he began his career.

The 29-year-old Deng is averaging 14.3 points in 33 games. He’s also averaging 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals.

Dang began his career with the Chicago Bulls, before a trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers last year.

Bulls, Cavs trade disgruntled players for each other, while the Bulls also get draft picks

By Anthony Caruso III
Posted: January 7th, 2014 at 1:21 am EST

Two disgruntled players have been traded for each other.

The Chicago Bulls sent Luol Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In exchange for Deng, the Cavaliers sent Andrew Bynum and multiple draft picks to the Bulls.

Luol Deng (Getty Images)

In addition, the teams have the opportunity to swap 2015 first round picks. This pick is 1-14 protected by the Cavaliers, so if the pick is not within the top 14 picks, the pick will go to the Bulls.

“We are very excited for Luol to join the Cavaliers organization, ” said Cavaliers GM Chris Grant. “We have worked to acquire and maintain flexibility in order to capitalize on opportunities such as this. Luol reflects all that we are striving for in building our team. He’s a tremendous defensive player that can impact the game on both ends of the court with a team first mentality and is a high character leader.”

Bynum will be released by the Bulls tomorrow. This will save the Bulls from paying $12 million guaranteed in his salary that kicks in.

He was recently suspended by the Cavaliers after a lack of work ethic. There was speculation that the Cavaliers would send Bynum to his former home, the Los Angeles Lakers, for Pau Gasol.

However, that trade did not materialize.

Deng got frustrated with the Bulls over a failure to reach a long-term deal. As reported early, Deng will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Deng is averaging 18.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists this season for Chicago. Bynum, on the other hand, was averaging 8.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists this season for Cleveland.

Bynum signed a one-year deal with the Cavaliers this summer after not playing a single game with the Philadelphia 76ers last year. His contract called for an option for next year.

Rebuilding Bulls trade Deng to the Cavaliers

By Anthony Caruso III
Posted: January 7th, 2014 at 1:07 am EST

The Chicago Bulls have traded Luol Deng.

Deng has been traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. It is not known right now who was traded to the Bulls for Deng.

Welcome @LuolDeng9 to the Cleveland Cavaliers!

— Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) January 7, 2014

New York Daily News sports writer Mitch Lawrence wrote in Monday’s edition that Deng would be traded by February 20th, the trade deadline. He wrote that the Bulls are now in a rebuilding mode, which makes a trade easier.

Deng has been rumored to be traded in recent days. But the Bulls wanted to keep their young forward.

Luol Deng (Getty Images)

The 28-year-old has played in 23 games this season. He is averaging 19 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.

Deng will be a free agent after the season. And the Bulls were not willing to pay him top dollar to keep him around.

With Deng traded, it creates a problem at small forward for the Bulls. Unless the Bulls are working on another trade to acquire a small forward.

The Bulls will fill that spot with limited minutes from their current roster. These players include Jimmy Butler, Mike Dunleavy, and Tony Snell.