Report: Trade Rumor of Chicago Bulls Luol Deng to Washington Wizards Not True

Dec. 21, 2012; New York, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls small forward Luol Deng (9) drives to the net as New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton (2) defends during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports /

Earlier today, Marc Stein of ESPN suggested that the Chicago Bulls offered up small forward Luol Deng to the Washington Wizards in exchange for the third pick in Thursday’s 2013 NBA Draft. The trade would also include the contract of Emeka Okafor to work under the NBA’s salary cap rules but according to the Washington Post, there is no truth to the rumor.

Per Michael Lee:

"ESPN.com is reporting that the Bulls and Wizards have had exploratory talks about a trade that would also include sending center Emeka Okafor to Chicago. Okafor, according to the report, would have to formally opt in to his $14.5 million option this week for the deal to be completed.When informed of the report, one source said there was “no truth” to the rumored trade proposal for Deng."

For the Wizards, the acquisition of Deng, despite his talent made little sense given he’ll be enterting the final year of his contract and the Wizards could simply select Otto Porter to fill their small forward void.

Certainly removing the contract of Emeka Okafor would be nice, but he too, like Deng will be in the final year of his contract so the deal would essentially be Deng for the third overall selection, something the Wizards wouldn’t have much interest in obviously.

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