NBA Trade Deadline 2012: Why the Chicago Bulls Should Never Trade Luol Deng

It’s trading season in the NBA, and the Chicago Bulls are right in the thick of it! But the Bulls should refuse to trade star Luol Deng, no matter what else they choose to do before the deadline.

Deng is the Bulls’ second most important player after star point guard Derrick Rose. He is the glue-guy who holds the entire team together with his defense, leadership and calm intensity.

Rose may be Chicago’s star and face of the franchise, but Deng is the internal mechanism that makes the Bulls the NBA’s best team. He has been around longer than anyone on the team, understands the fans and city culture, and embraces his role of team leader by playing hard on both ends of the floor.

Because of that, Deng has evolved into one of the NBA's most underrated performers. Early in his career, Deng was a high draft pick and an extremely well-hyped talent. Many fans felt he was not living up to his All-Star potential. But, when Rose was drafted, Deng successfully embraced his second star role, learned how to be one of the game's best defensive swingmen, and refined important aspects of his offensive game.

Now, he is a defensive superstar whose underrated slashing ability and range shooting complement Rose’s offensive game.

Deng also complements the Bulls’ other stars better than anyone else on the team. His ability to slash to the rim and mix in a mid-range game takes pressure off Rip Hamilton to create and Ronnie Brewer to hit long-distance shots. Deng’s ability to guard 4s allows the Bulls to occasionally rest Carlos Boozer, or move him to less demanding spots on defense. 

Deng's passing ability complements Joakim Noah’s underrated passing out of the paint to give the Bulls one of the most versatile passing offenses in the league. 

For all those reasons, trading the former Duke star would be a disaster for the Bulls. Their other swingmen—Rip Hamilton, Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer—are ideal complementary players, but none of them could step in and come close to filling Deng’s role on either end of the floor. He is the Bulls’ only irreplaceable piece aside from Rose, and Chicago would not make up for his absence even if they managed to acquire Magic center Dwight Howard in return. 

So, Chicago should absolutely look at potential trade deadline moves. Tinkering with the roster to add a veteran buyout addition would make plenty of sense. If the right Howard trade—one involving Noah, Taj Gibson and draft picks materializes—then the Bulls should consider pulling the trigger. 

But, no matter what, the Bulls must hold on to Deng. He is the key to their present, and future, success.