Posted by Dustin Chapman in Restricted free agent forward Luol Deng has decided to remain with the Chicago Bulls long-term, as he recently inked a lucrative six-year contract with the club. The deal reportedly contains 71 million guaranteed dollars, and is likely to be worth even more on the whole.
Deng was drafted seventh overall in 2004 by the Phoenix Suns, but was immediately traded to Chicago on draft night. Throughout his first four professional seasons, the 23-year-old forward has held accumulative averages of 15.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, with a 48% shooting clip.
However, despite his newfound wealth, Deng’s situation has not always been peachy-clean. After putting up 18.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG, and 2.5 APG in 2006-2007, the former Duke star was ready to cash in. Unfortunately for him, the Bulls were unwilling to meet his financial demands. Deng turned down a five-year, $57.5 million deal with the intention of improving, and earning himself the paycheck he had asked for.
Once again, unfortunately for Deng, he did not live up to expectations in his 2007-2008 campaign. His production dropped in multiple areas from 2006-2007 to 2007-2008. He went from 18.8 PPG to 17 PPG, 7.1 RPG to 6.3 RPG, 1.2 SPG to 0.9 SPG, a 51.7% shooting clip to 47.9%, and 37.5 to 33.8 minutes per outing.
Regardless, the Luol Deng camp can’t be disappointed at this point in time. Somehow, some way, Deng was able to earn himself a bigger deal this summer, therefore making his move of declining the 2007 offer a good one.
The Bulls will now shift their focus to the contractual situation of Ben Gordon, who may want a deal just as tasteful as Deng’s. Stay tuned.
Deng is one lucky guy. He turns down 5 years/$57.5 million in 2007, has a less productive season in 2007-2008, and still gets a bigger contract than the one he turned down a year ago. I don’t know how he did it, but congratulations to him and his agent, who obviously knows what he’s doing.
I don’t think Deng is quite worth the cash he got, but he’s certainly a guy I would have wanted to keep around, as well.
As for Gordon - if I’m Pax and Gordon asks me for a similar contract to what Deng just received, I say “good luck” and hang up the phone.
I feel like the Deng signing was worth it. I mean he is only 24 years old right now and by the end of this six year contract, he will only be 30. I dont think in today’s market, that this is overpayment at all. I am completely satisfied with having Deng back on the team. As for Gordon going to Europe, this guy wants to play in the NBA and win a championship. I don’t think he’ll be going to Europe anytime soon.