NBA Rumors: Luol Deng seeking 10 to 12 million per season

By Bryan Rose | Jun 30, 2014

Mar 30, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Luol Deng (9) runs during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 90-76. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

There are a handful of teams expected to show interest in free agent small forward Luol Deng, but if they’re to sign the veteran talent, they’re going to pay for it. That’s the word from Yahoo Sports who suggests that Deng will be seeking upwards of $10 to $12 million dollars per season in free agency.

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While such a request isn’t outlandish on Deng’s part, it’s still a pretty hefty commitment for a player who has been injured as often as Deng has been during the past season plus.

The vast majority of teams, like the Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans (all teams who are rumored to have interest in the forward) only have enough cap space to sign Luol Deng at that price tag, so it’s likely they were hoping to obtain him at a more affordable figure, possibly $8 to $10 million. Even then that seems to be a stretch on the higher side.

Still, there is going to be a team out there willing to pay Deng, especially given the amount of teams who are left at the alter by Carmelo Anthony.

I’d venture to guess fans of the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, Luol Deng’s previous two franchises, would caution teams to throw that type of money at the two-way talent though he’s still among one of the better free agents on the market once the top flight players are signed.

For now, there doesn’t appear to be a favorite team to sign Deng, though it seems like a team with deep pockets may be his preferred choice.