NBA Rumors: Phoenix Suns interested in Luol Deng
The Phoenix Suns tried to make a splash at the trade deadline, but missed out on Los Angeles Lakers’ big man Pau Gasol. The Suns, who barely missed the playoffs, are again expected to pursue Gasol and other veterans like Cleveland Cavaliers’ free agent forward Luol Deng.
More from Cleveland Cavaliers
- NBA insider: Cavaliers should consider trading Donovan Mitchell
- Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
- NBA Rumors: 3 teams that should trade for Joel Embiid
- NBA rumors: How Donovan Mitchell could wind up on the trading block
- The new NBA flopping rules explained
Joel Brigham of Basketball Insiders believes the Lakers have a shot at Deng, but expects him to sign with the Suns.
"I’m going to say L.A. or Phoenix, with a slight lean towards the Suns. P.J. Tucker was great for them, but Deng is undeniably an upgrade and the perfect guy to push them over the hump and into the playoffs next year. He’s a great locker room presences for some of those young guys, and he’d have a good coach in Jeff Hornacek and a great training staff to help keep him healthy. Feels like a great fit to me. Lakers, less so, but they’ll have the money, the history, and the good weather to push on him. Guys have signed with teams for much worse reasons than that!"
Deng averaged 16.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game for the Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls last night.
The Dallas Mavericks are expected to pursue Deng and the Atlanta Hawks will also reportedly show interest.