Luol Deng was close to signing with Atlanta Hawks

Talk about a crisis adverted.

During the Miami Heat media day sessions, small forward Luol Deng revealed he was close to signing with the Atlanta Hawks before choosing to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in South Beach.

More from Atlanta Hawks

• NBA rumors: Hawks trade candidate, Sixers miss out, Lakers almost lose Reaves
• NBA Rumors: 5 best trade destinations for Pascal Siakam
• The new NBA flopping rules explained
• NBA rumors: Raptors insider drops one player mentioned heavily in trade discussions
• 3 disastrous Zach LaVine trades the Bulls need to avoid

Prior to the Danny Ferry-Hawks-Luol Deng incident, it was no secret the organization was interested in Deng. With a huge hole at small forward, many saw Deng’s two-way ability as an enticing skillset for the Hawks — they even moved Luo Williams’ deal to clear cap space this summer.

But things didn’t work out and that may have played in Deng’s favor seeing as he avoided playing for a general manager (Danny Ferry) who negatively stereotyped him in a scouting report that was later revealed to the public by several reporters.

Now Deng is in a situation where he won’t be asked to do much — and won’t have to play as many minutes as he did with the Chicago Bulls. With Bosh and Wade carrying most of the offense and Chalmers, Wade, Bosh, and others helping out on defense, Deng will be expected to perform like in a similar manner as the 3-and-D player that’s taking the league by storm.

More from Fansided

NFL’s top 10 most overpaid players for 2014
Rajon Rondo out six weeks with broken hand
The Armchair Quarterback’s guide to the NFL: Week 4
NFL Week 4 picks and predictions