Luol Deng Says He Wouldn’t Be Surprised if the Chicago Bulls Traded Him


Rumors are already swirling regarding Luol Deng’s future, and credit goes to the Bulls swingman for being honest about the situation, as he told ESPN Chicago that it wouldn’t come as a surprise if he’s moved to another team this summer: “Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng revealed this weekend that he will not be surprised if the team trades him this offseason. While at training camp in Texas with Great Britain’s national team preparing for the London Olympics, Deng said he does not believe the Bulls are shopping him in retaliation for his decision to delay the wrist surgery he needs until after the Games. But Deng, 27, did acknowledge that he’s not dismissing recent reports suggesting the Bulls are willing to trade him for a top pick in Thursday’s NBA draft, with speculation mounting that Chicago could send Deng to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for the No. 7 overall pick. Former NBA guard Speedy Claxton, now a scout for the Warriors, attended Britain’s practice at the Toyota Center on Sunday afternoon. ‘I believe there is always to some extent truth behind rumors,’ 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. 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.'”