Luol Deng Rumors: Atlanta Hawks to meet with Deng

By Josh Hill | Jul 4, 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 /

The Atlanta Hawks managed to somehow make the postseason last year and then almost knocked off the No. 1 seeded Indiana Pacers in seven games. They weren’t going to make a run at an NBA title but it’s interesting to think of how far they might have gone had they won that series against the Pacers.

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What that series did was give the Hawks a shot of energy and hope that they can be more than what they are now and that’s why it appears they’re being mildly aggressive in free agency. While they’re not in the running for Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James, the Hawks are after Luol Deng and they may end up being the team who gets him in the end.

Sam Amick from USA Today reports that Deng and the Hawks were set to meet on Thursday night to talk about a possible future together but it’s unclear if that meeting ever took place.

"According to a person with knowledge of the situation, Deng was expected to speak with Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer about the possible partnership on Thursday night. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the talks."

Deng has been garnering interest from the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers as well as the Dallas Mavericks so far in free agency. There is also the possibility of a return to Chicago for Deng but for now he’s waiting for the chips to fall where they may with Carmelo Anthony before making any moves.

Atlanta is positioning themselves well though to catch Deng when those chips fall as unlike most other teams who like him, Deng isn’t a Plan B for the Hawks.

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