NBA Rumors: 5 free agency destinations for Luol Deng

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Nov 1, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (right) talks with Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (left) during the first half against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Southeast. Miami Heat. 1. player. 110. . East

While it could make sense for Deng to sign elsewhere in NBA free agency this summer, he’ll continue to provide the most value to his current team in the Heat if he does choose to re-sign with Miami this summer.

With the tough realization that power forward Chris Bosh may not be able to recover from his blood clot injury and that center Hassan Whiteside will likely sign elsewhere in NBA free agency, who do the Heat look to build their team around in 2016-17 if Bosh and Whiteside aren’t with the club next season?

By re-signing Deng it would allow the Heat to simply tread water with him at the three, Goran Dragic at point guard, and likely Dwyane Wade at shooting guard. Miami would certainly need to address the frontcourt, but would have a good trio of players one to three on their roster if both Wade and Deng re-sign this summer.

Miami doesn’t have Bird Rights with Deng, as 2015-16 is only his second year with the Heat. However, Deng’s best option to remain a starter and play for a contending team in one fell swoop is still with the Heat.

Miami isn’t more than a team with an Eastern Conference Finals ceiling in 2015-16, but having Pat Riley in the front office allows the Heat to always be a big shaker in NBA free agency. Perhaps the team improves significantly in free agency and the 2016 NBA Draft under Riley’s guidance. Deng still has a good situation in Miami and that would be hard to walk away from in free agency this upcoming summer.

For more posts on 2016 NBA free agency, please check out our NBA free agency hub page.

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