Luol Deng would not be surprised if Chicago Bulls decide to let him go – NBA Update
After recent reports of Chicago Bulls wanting to trade away Luol Deng, the player himself spoke to the media over the weekend and stated that he would not be surprised if the team decides to lay him off for a possible high pick
in this year`s draft.
Speaking during a training camp in Texas arranged for the British Olympic basketball team, Deng said that he is anticipating a move, but added that he would not let it overshadow his preparations;
"I believe there is always to some extent truth behind rumours," Deng said. "But as an athlete, if you get caught up in them, you are really wasting your time because it's not something you can control.”
"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 rumours are going to come up."
Deng will be representing Great Britain at the London Olympics in the basketball event, one in which they had not featured since 1948. He had been raised in London ever since he was 10 years old and has had a lifelong dream of
his to represent the country which gave his family political asylum.
The decision by Deng to participate in the games despite a wrist injury that requires surgery has been the bone of contention between Deng and the Bulls.
Following the Bulls exit from the first round of the playoffs to the Philadelphia 76ers, the team management had asked Deng to not play in the Olympics in order to undergo a wrist surgery. However Deng refused to do so, and if
he undergoes the surgery after the tournament, the small forward is sure to miss at least the first month of Chicago Bulls’ next season.
With Derrick Rose also out for nearly half of the season, the Bulls cannot afford the absence of Deng and by trading him and his $ 13.3million contract, they can insert a good talent from this year’s draft.
Deng also said that if an axe comes, he will not be surprised as the General Manager there would just be doing what is best for the Bulls;
"I wouldn't want me to play (in the Olympics) either. Pax is an athlete and, as an athlete who used to play, Pax understands me wanting to play. But as a GM that's his job to try and get the team healthy and get the team ready
for next year.”
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