The 2014 NBA trade deadline just passed last week and already people are talking about free agency this summer and Luol Deng is expected to be one of the top names on the market and teams like the LA Lakers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, Clippers and his original team in the Chicago Bulls are expected to pursue him.
Deng was being shopped at the trade deadline by the Cleveland Cavaliers after they acquired him from the Bulls, but despite some interest teams did not pull the trigger, as many were worried that he would not sign an extension after the move. Deng has made it clear that he would like to become a free agent now that he has moved on from the Bulls and that likely scared some teams off, including the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards, as they reportedly were looking at trading for him at the deadline.
Heading into the offseason, Deng appears to be the top "normal" free agent, meaning that he is set to hit the market and doesn't need to trigger and opt out clause to do so, which is what LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony will need to do to become free agents. Both players are expected to do so and that would put them at the top of the list when it comes to free agents overall, but past that top part Deng is the best name on the market and he will be 29 next season and still right in his prime and that means he likely will cash in with his next contract.
The Bulls had hoped to sign him to an extension before the season, but the two sides could not come to an agreement and eventually he was traded to the Cavs. Deng is averaging 17.2 points and six rebounds this season and he has been a foundational player for the Bulls during his career and now there is a chance that he could return there in the offseason. Teams did not want to trade for Deng and then have him leave in free agency and that is why the Cavaliers never were able to pull the trigger at the deadline.
As a free agent, Deng will get some attention and a random option could be the Orlando Magic, yes that team, as the New York Daily News reports that the team could be interested in signing him this offseason. The Magic will have a bit of money to spend in the offseason and adding him to a lineup with Victor Oladipo could be interesting, as they have a young roster right now that could use a veteran. The Lakers look like a more realistic option, as they are also planning on going after Deng. According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the team will be going after Deng as an option to pair with Kobe Bryant.
