Deng might deliver one-and-done edict to Bulls

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AtR6EOsqrwaq.1NyMf5Ykoq8vLYF?slug=aw-dengbulls072108&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Unless the Chicago Bulls can reach an agreement for a contract extension with restricted free agent Luol Deng before he departs to join the Great Britain national team in two weeks, he will end talks and tell management that he plans to leave the organization as a free agent next summer, a source close to Deng told Yahoo! Sports.


Deng is determined to come to terms on a long-term contract, but he has set an Aug. 4 deadline to reach an agreement. Once Deng, 23, leaves the country for the European Championship qualifying tournament, he will a sign a one-year qualifying offer for $4.5 million and become an unrestricted free agent in 2009.


The message to the Bulls promises to be implicit: Unless the two sides come to terms soon, Deng will never again negotiate with them. He will not let the uncertainty over his future hang over another basketball season, and unless a sign-and-trade is worked out, Deng will play out his final season in 2008-09 and sign elsewhere next summer.


When reached on Sunday, Deng’s agent, Jason Levien, would only say, “We continue to talk to the Bulls and remain hopeful that something can be accomplished.”

Recently, negotiations with the Bulls’ restricted free agents, Deng and guard Ben Gordon, took a dramatic turn when owner Jerry Reinsdorf decided to take over the talks himself. The Bulls made offers of $57.5 million and $50 million to Deng and Gordon last summer, but both players turned down those deals. Deng changed representation and hired Levien, who scored a five-year, $55 million extension for Sacramento’s Kevin Martin last year.


So far, the Bulls haven’t returned to that $57.5 million figure and the sides have remained significantly apart. If the Bulls believe Deng is serious about leaving next year, they may have no choice but to broker a sign-and-trade with one of the numerous suitors around the league. The Utah Jazz and Miami Heat are expected to be two of the most aggressive pursuers.


After a breakthrough 2006-2007 season, Deng’s production dipped to 17 points per game this past season. After the contract unrest of last summer, Deng and Gordon were part of months of trade talks with the Lakers involving Kobe Bryant, and the Bulls never seemed to be past it all. Nevertheless, Chicago’s basketball executives have long wanted Deng as the franchise’s cornerstone. At 6-foot-9, he’s still considered one of the NBA’s most versatile and skilled young talents.

After meeting with new coach Vinny Del Negro, Deng has developed a renewed enthusiasm about staying with the Bulls this summer, the source said. Nevertheless, it appears time is of the essence for Deng’s future in Chicago. Once Deng gets on that flight for England, that could be the beginning of the end for him with the Bulls. Two weeks and counting now.

reasons to hang onto Deng for that much money:

1. He's young
2. Excellent mid-range game
3. Quiet, unassuming player

Reasons not to spend the money:

1. Soft
2. No hops and not a huge amount of athleticism
3. Disappears for long stretches

See ya...

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

When Jerry take sover negotiating, you know their playing days in Chicago are likely done.

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I've not seen anything that warrants more than the 57.5mil that was offered.

Believe it or not, Reinsdorf is said to be personally involved in the Deng negotiations. I think we remember how well Jerry's involvement went in the search for a new Bulls' head coach...

I think it's safe to say he's willing to drag out the contract talks, if it means the organization wins the battle.

Right now, Deng is using his leverage to become unrestricted (and leave) next off-season - I don't believe for a second that he'd ignore the Bulls offer next off-season when you realize that the Bulls can offer more than other teams.

Ding, ding, ding.

This guy's in no position to be making demands.

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You can't see me because of internet.

The landowner effectively owns part shares in millions of part-time slaves called, "taxpayers." -Roy L
A Personal Relationship with Jesus?

Took the words right out of my mouth!

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

So he has someone to blame when he FUcks up.

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When I heard Jerry took over, I thought 100% Gordon is done, as he enver kissed the ring and said he made a mistake. Deng said he should have taken the money, which is the reason I thought he would come back, but when I heard him say he had 2 weeks to finish this, I know how Jerry would react to this and I thought good bye to Deng as well.

Pretty sure this was 2/3's of the "Untradeable Core" the other 1/3 will be traded by the end of the season.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

right on...

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

Isn't this issue relevant only for max players? Deng doesn't fall into that category, even though he's a future 20 and 10 guy, or so I've been told.

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Deng and Ben Gordon are restricted free agents, but all I have heard is pure speculation concerning these two and their future here. If Deng & Gordon sign the one year qualifying offer by the Bulls, they'll be unrestricted for sure next season. I predict one of them will be dealt by way of a sign & trade.

I was referencing the comment about the Bulls' ability to pay more to Deng than other teams. They can pay "more" than other teams only because of the Bird loophole, which will not apply to the Deng situation since he is not a max player.

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If someone wants to overpay Deng to the point that he is the second highest player on the team then you've got to let him walk. If not, pay him enough to keep him. Deng would make a great third option on a championship team but the Bulls need room to find someone else and hope that Rose develops into a top PG.

The Bulls need to do what they can to keep Deng without paying him for something he's not.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!