[XYRYXParticipant]

Now that Deng arrived in Cleveland and had his first training and media sessions I found one nice link on cavs.com that shows how happy the Cavs can be that they were able to turn a locker room cancer like Bynum into an absolute class act like Luol Deng. There are other nice clips where 3D and Rick Fox are discussing this move. If you have a few minutes you should watch this.

I never reasilsed how nice of an guy Deng truely is until now. He never had a bad word about the Bulls departure from what I heard and is trying to realise what his new situation is like. He was a little bit upset cause he was there for almost 10 years and came to town as a 19 year old. Who knows if the Cavs can make a turnaround with him now to save the season or if he is willing to stay for affordable money but for sure Mike Brown now has someone out there who knows how to defend, who is a leader to this young group and is willing to change the culture there. I have to say I’m impressed how open minded he speaks there and is even telling the funny story about how he had to explain his mom that he got traded.

A very nice guy for sure and to get an two time All Star, All Defensive Second Teamer, his former teams leading scorer in midseason at the team weakest position without needing to give up any significant player is a HUGE steal to me, if it’s just a rental or not. There is no doubt that Thibs wanted the management to keep Deng on board. I’m excited now about the Cavs and there are no excuses anymore and they finally entered the win now campaign with his addition.

http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/video/2014/01/08/140108practicerecapdengmov-3100426/

[Anton123Participant]

 As a Cavs fan I’m a bit worried about the future of the team, but I’m really excited to see how the Cavs play with Deng.

Really no excuses for anyone now – they must win a high percentage of games until the season’s end. I hope that they play well and Deng likes it and resigns with the team.

The Cavaliers have a ton of talented players now and one of the best benches in the NBA (Jack, Waiters, Clark, Zeller, Gee, Delly, Bennett), after such a bad start to the season I really hope the best is yet to come.

[Anton123Participant]

 As a Cavs fan I’m a bit worried about the future of the team, but I’m really excited to see how the Cavs play with Deng.

Really no excuses for anyone now – they must win a high percentage of games until the season’s end. I hope that they play well and Deng likes it and resigns with the team.

The Cavaliers have a ton of talented players now and one of the best benches in the NBA (Jack, Waiters, Clark, Zeller, Gee, Delly, Bennett), after such a bad start to the season I really hope the best is yet to come.

[TyroberParticipant]

 I really think Deng stays. Obviously he wants a pay day and I don’t see the Cavs letting him go. I know they only gave up basically 3 2nd rounders for him, but seems like an ideal fit.

[TyroberParticipant]

 I really think Deng stays. Obviously he wants a pay day and I don’t see the Cavs letting him go. I know they only gave up basically 3 2nd rounders for him, but seems like an ideal fit.

[Moon RiverParticipant]

He is for certain a class act and will only help the Cavs on the floor and off.

However, this summer is his last chance at a big pay-day so don’t be surprised when he bolts for more money.  I heard a Bulls insider this morning (CSN’s Aggrey Sam) saying the GM’s he is speaking to think the starting point for salary is $12M per year and a minimum of 4 years.  There is an article in the Sun Times today where Deng’s agent claims the Bulls were 4-5M off per year where they needed to be with the $30M and 3 year "low ball" offer.

And while Deng is a great guy, he will voice his displeasure when he feels like he is getting the shaft.  Like when the Bulls gave him a take it or leave it offer three days before he was traded so the Bulls can claim they tried to retain him.  Also, Deng was also critical of the way his health issues were dealt with by the Bulls.  Specifically, when he had the spinal tap late last season, the Bulls apparently did not think it was prudent for Deng to have his own private hospital suite.  Yes, he had a to share a room, to which Paxson responded yesterday, "that could have been handled better." 

The Bulls could certainly use him but they cannot afford him at this point.  I am not sure I see Cleveland ponying up the $ to keep him this summer.  If they don’t, some other team certainly will.

[Moon RiverParticipant]

He is for certain a class act and will only help the Cavs on the floor and off.

However, this summer is his last chance at a big pay-day so don’t be surprised when he bolts for more money.  I heard a Bulls insider this morning (CSN’s Aggrey Sam) saying the GM’s he is speaking to think the starting point for salary is $12M per year and a minimum of 4 years.  There is an article in the Sun Times today where Deng’s agent claims the Bulls were 4-5M off per year where they needed to be with the $30M and 3 year "low ball" offer.

And while Deng is a great guy, he will voice his displeasure when he feels like he is getting the shaft.  Like when the Bulls gave him a take it or leave it offer three days before he was traded so the Bulls can claim they tried to retain him.  Also, Deng was also critical of the way his health issues were dealt with by the Bulls.  Specifically, when he had the spinal tap late last season, the Bulls apparently did not think it was prudent for Deng to have his own private hospital suite.  Yes, he had a to share a room, to which Paxson responded yesterday, "that could have been handled better." 

The Bulls could certainly use him but they cannot afford him at this point.  I am not sure I see Cleveland ponying up the $ to keep him this summer.  If they don’t, some other team certainly will.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

What if Luol Deng signs with Miami over the offseason?

[TyroberParticipant]

 Not a chance he signs with Miami. He wants to get paid and they won’t be able to afford him.

[TyroberParticipant]

 Not a chance he signs with Miami. He wants to get paid and they won’t be able to afford him.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Yeah, if he wants to get paid $3.5m a year instead of 10m-13m

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Yeah, if he wants to get paid $3.5m a year instead of 10m-13m

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

What if Luol Deng signs with Miami over the offseason?

[r377Participant]

As a pistons fan i didn’t really want Josh Smith and wanted to wait another season until Deng becomes available which he could sign for the same sort of money or even a little bit cheaper.

The Pistons are under the cap. If they don’t sign Monroe, could they sign Deng and put Smith at the 4 ?

The Mavs, Pelicans, and Suns are teams that are under the cap and could use a good starting SF.

Spurs are under the cap, would they consider doing a sign and trade for Leonard ?

The Cavs are a young team and I believe they will make him a good offer.  They need a classy veteran.

[r377Participant]

As a pistons fan i didn’t really want Josh Smith and wanted to wait another season until Deng becomes available which he could sign for the same sort of money or even a little bit cheaper.

The Pistons are under the cap. If they don’t sign Monroe, could they sign Deng and put Smith at the 4 ?

The Mavs, Pelicans, and Suns are teams that are under the cap and could use a good starting SF.

Spurs are under the cap, would they consider doing a sign and trade for Leonard ?

The Cavs are a young team and I believe they will make him a good offer.  They need a classy veteran.

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