Chicago Bulls Tried to Trade Luol Deng to Washington Wizards For No. 3 Overall Pick

Apr 14, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls small forward Luol Deng (9) is defended by Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) and small forward LeBron James (6) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

While Luol Deng was linked to the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this morning, there wasn’t much substance behind it as the Cavs have little to offer their divisional rival outside of the number one overall pick, something they wouldn’t have much interest in doing.

Unlike the Cavaliers though, the Washington Wizards may have some interest in sending their third overall pick to Chicago in exchange for Deng, at least that’s the Bulls wishful hope.

Per ESPN’s Marc Stein:

"Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that the Chicago Bulls, in their latest attempt to gauge the trade value of All-Star swingman Luol Deng, have had exploratory discussions with Washington about a deal that would land Deng with the Wizards and bring the No. 3 pick in Thursday’s draft to the Bulls."

Deng will be entering the final year of his deal, so the trade rumor doesn’t seem like something the Wizards would consider given they don’t really need to shed salary (outside of Nene) and Otto Porter should be available to them with the third overall selection.

Still, even if it was nothing more than an exploratory trade value gauge, it’s something to keep an eye on as Thursday’s 2013 NBA Draft nears.

Home/Chicago Bulls