NBA rumors: Phoenix Suns after Luol Deng

The Phoenix Suns were one of the best stories of the 2013-2014 season.

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Entering the season, many believed they’d be a contender for the number one-overall pick, but instead they posted a record of 48-34. However, playing in a loaded Western Conference, they missed out on the postseason. The Suns figure to be busy this offseason. They’ve already added three first round picks – they took former North Carolina State Wolfpack forward T.J. Warren with the 14th-overall selection, former Syracuse Orange point guard Tyler Ennis with the 18th-overall selection and Serbian swingman Bogdan Bogdanović with the 27th-overall selection.

Now, they will focus on their restricted free agents – guard Eric Bledsoe and swingman P.J. Tucker. They also would like to use their cap space to sign two max players, but they may not be possible.

David Aldridge of NBA.com believes the Suns should sign Cleveland Cavaliers’ forward Luol Deng.

"It’s not a surprise, as the team leaked to Yahoo! Sports over the weekend, that Phoenix has the wherewithal and the desire to sign two max players — whether that’s James and Anthony, or James and Bosh, or James this summer and Love next summer. But if the Suns’ Dream Team doesn’t come together, they need a Plan B, and Deng should be part of that plan.I’d love to say this was all my idea, but the rumor mill has connected Deng and Phoenix for some time now, and it still makes sense. Deng was completely put off by his time in Cleveland after being traded there by the Bulls in January, and he’s looking for a new home in which to put down roots. The up-and-coming Suns would provide him just that."

The Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors are all expected to show interest in Deng as well.

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

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