Bulls Trade Rumors: Luol Deng Isn't Worth 2012 NBA Lottery Pick

The idea of the Chicago Bulls dealing Luol Deng for a lottery pick in Thursday's 2012 NBA draft have been swirling for the better part of two weeks. But rumors regarding the Bulls' interest in a potential trade mean little if there's no recipient on the other end, and at this point, Deng isn't worth a top-10 pick in this draft. 

Several media outlets, with the most recent being the Chicago Sun-Times, have tied Deng to a potential trade before or during the NBA draft. 

From Neil Hayes at the Sun-Times:

"The Bulls have had discussions with teams about trading Luol Deng for a chance to move into the lottery to pick up North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes in Thursday night’s draft," Hayes wrote. 

Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald also reported that trading Deng was "under consideration."

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So why would the Bulls even think about trying to trade Luol Deng for a high draft pick?

That does appear to be one of the strategies under consideration right now, league sources confirmed. A draft camp meeting with North Carolina forward Harrison Barnes was mentioned on the team’s website, but there’s probably no single target.

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Finally, Deng acknowledged that the trade rumors surrounding him this month were real, according to ESPN Chicago. 

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If it's not true, a GM could always come out and say it's not true. But if a GM doesn't come out and say it, there are probably talks. And there should be. If I was a GM I would be shopping players around, too. I've got to show that I'm doing something.

As much as I want to stay on the team—I love Chicago, I love the Bulls—at the same time, I know the business part of it. Sooner or later, all the rumors are going to come up.

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The idea of moving Deng for the chance to draft UNC's Harrison Barnes makes plenty of sense from Chicago's side. Barnes is the kind of scorer that could easily replace Deng in the Bulls' starting lineup for 2012-13 and beyond.

But finding a trade partner willing to swing that kind of deal remains as remote as remote gets. 

Deng, 27, is due almost $28 million over the next two years, and his wrist will require offseason surgery once he returns from the 2012 Olympics.

Deng is planning on playing for Great Britain, something the Bulls have not taken too kindly considering the health status of Deng's wrist. 

The real question remains: What lottery team, in their right mind, would give up a top-10 or better pick to acquire Deng?

The short answer: There isn't one. 

There have been talks about the Bulls swinging a trade with the Golden State Warriors, who hold the No. 7 overall pick. The ESPN Chicago report said that the Warriors even sent a scout—former NBAer Speedy Claxton—to watch Deng train with Great Britain last Sunday. 

But why would the Warriors dish out that pick—a spot that could land them Barnes, if the cards fall right—for an aging, injured and expensive player that has already reached his ceiling? There's no rhyme or reason for the Warriors to pull off that move. 

The same can be said for any of the other teams picking near the Warriors in Thursday's draft.

Suddenly, rumors of Deng getting moved for a lottery pick become a lot more muddied. 

There's nothing wrong with the Bulls exploring all their offseason options—every other team does this time of year. And it's likely that Chicago is looking at a big step back next year because of injuries to Deng and Derrick Rose. 

But Bulls' fans should hold their breath on a Deng-for-Barnes trade. Any GM pulling the trigger on the opposite end of that deal would be considered crazy, even in this era of boneheaded personnel moves in the NBA.