Luol Deng agrees to two-year, $20 million deal with Miami Heat
After the dominoes began to fall in free agency, it was only matter of time before Cleveland Cavaliers’ free agent forward Luol Deng found a new home.
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Deng was drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the seventh-overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft but his rights were traded to the Chicago Bulls. The subject of trade rumors for many year, Deng was finally dealt to the Cavaliers in his 10th season after the Bulls and Deng were unable to come to an agreement on a contract extension. The Cavaliers entertained the thought of re-signing Deng, but never got into deep discussions, instead shifting their focus to their number one overall pick, Andrew Wiggins and the pursuit of the game’s best player, LeBron James, who signed a two-year with the Cavaliers Saturday.
Deng, 29, has a reputation as an excellent defender and has proven to be a capable shooter (although his 2013-2014 season was far from his best) and would have been a welcome addition to any team.
After several teams made a run at Deng, he has agreed to a deal with the Miami Heat according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
Free agent forward Luol Deng has agreed to a two-year, $20 million deal with the Miami Heat, league source tells Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 13, 2014
The Heat have already re-signed Chris Bosh and should lock down a deal with Dwyane Wade soon. Deng steps into the position vacated by James. Although he clearly won’t be as productive as James, if they can find another capable big man and a solid point guard (perhaps first round pick Shabazz Napier is just that), it should be enough to keep the Heat in the top four in the Eastern Conference.
The Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns were all reportedly interested in Deng.
Deng averaged 16.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 43.1% from the field, 30.2% from three and 79.1% from the charity stripe. Over the course of his 10-year career, Deng has averaged 16.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 45.7% from the field, 32.9% from beyond the arc and 77.3% from the free throw line.