NBA Rumors: Luol Deng says Cavs aren’t mature enough to be good yet
By Josh Hill
Luol Deng was traded from the Chicago Bulls to the Cleveland Cavaliers last month and he’s still not happy about it. Deng isn’t the type of player to lash out, as he was always a silent warrior in Chicago. But now that he’s in Cleveland, a clearly dysfunctional situation, Deng is blowing the whistle pretty hard on what he’s deeming immature basketball.
Deng is just giving constructive criticism that is being construed as him ripping the team, but the message is getting out there that Deng hates it in Cleveland and his reasoning may lead to a lot of changes in the offseason.
"“Right now as a team, we can be any five on the floor and we still want to do the same things. It can’t be that way,” Deng said. “You have to play to your personnel on the floor. I think that comes with maturity. I don’t think anyone is not doing it on purpose, but it’s something we’ve got to learn.”"
Deng isn’t openly ripping the Cavs, as despite the turmoil he went out of his way to say that he’s not turning his back on the team. Still, it’s clear that Cleveland won’t be able to re-sign Deng in the offseason as his first ticket out of Cleveland will likely be gladly taken.