Luol Deng’s time in Chicago appears to be nearing an end. The 6-foot-9 forward is yet to reach an agreement with the Chicago Bulls over his contract extension and unless Deng and the Bulls come to an agreement before the player leaves to join the Great Britain national team in two weeks time, Deng won’t be wearing the number nine jersey for the Bulls much longer.
An agreement must be made before August 4, but at the moment it seems more likely that Deng will sign a one-year qualifying offer of $4.5 million and become a free agent for the 2009 season.
The Bulls need to get the message: If they can’t come to an agreement soon with Deng, then one of their best players won't be playing in the United Center wearing a Bulls uniform anymore.
Deng has already turned down an offer of $57.5 million from Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and if Deng remains adamant on leaving then the Bulls may have little choice but to deal a sign-and-trade with another team in the league.
The Miami Heat and Utah Jazz are both said to be interested in acquiring the former Duke forward.
Deng averaged 17.0 points per game this season to go along with his average of 6.30 rebounds and would be a big loss for the Bulls if they don’t find a way to keep him around for more than just one more season.
At just 23 years of age and coming off one his best seasons for the Bulls, Deng is still considered to be one the most skilled, young players in the NBA. The Bulls would have some big shoes to fill if he does leave.
So the Bulls better come to an agreement soon because by the time Deng boards a plane for England it will be too late.
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