Luol Deng Trade Rumors: Latest Updates and Speculation on Heat Swingman

Luol Deng played for three different teams in the last calendar year, but he may not be done moving. 

According to sources cited by ESPN's Marc Stein, the Memphis Grizzlies, in an effort to keep pace with the other Western Conference contenders that have made moves, are attempting to acquire either Deng or Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green. 

Deng signed a new two-year contract in the offseason, but as Stein reported, he may be available if the Heat, who are 3-7 in their last 10, continue their losing ways and fall out of contention:

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Miami, though, is already five games below .500 at 15-20 as it begins a challenging five-game road trip out West, leading some around the league to wonder whether Heat officials would indeed be open to moving Deng to start trying to acquire future draft picks or other trade assets, since they currently possess so few.

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In 33 games this season, Deng is averaging 14.3 points on 50.6 percent shooting, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 32.2 minutes per contest. He has been about average defensively, holding opponents to a field-goal percentage of 45.4, per NBA.com. 

While the Heat have had their problems, it hasn't been because of the 29-year-old veteran. His true shooting percentage is at a career-high 58.7, while his player efficiency rating (PER) of 17.6 would be his second-best mark, according to Basketball-Reference. 

There aren't many contending teams that wouldn't jump at the chance to add Deng, a veteran in the locker room who is extremely solid on both sides of the ball. Moreover, on a team like the Memphis Grizzlies, where he would potentially be the team's fourth offensive option, he could be deadly as a catch-and-shoot option. He is shooting 38.7 percent in such situations this year, better than players such as Trevor Ariza and Ryan Anderson.

Currently, it doesn't sound like the chances of Deng being moved are all that high. But with another shift of balance in the West at stake, this is clearly something to keep an eye on.