Cleveland Cavaliers’ Four Trade Possibilities for Luol Deng
Jan 25, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins (5) dunks during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Luol Deng to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Kendrick Perkins and Perry Jones
ESPN Trade Machine Confirmation
For the Thunder they add Deng to a potent lineup. Deng gives them the ability to move Kevin Durant around on the floor offensively and let him rest more on defense as Deng takes on the primary wing scorer of the other team. Reaching the Finals this would allow Deng on Lebron James, Durant sliding down to guard Chris Bosh and Serge Ibaka at center. Depending on the matchups Durant could also play shooting guard in certain lineups. The Thunder have young Steve Adams who has shown well so far in his rookie year, and get out from the last year of Perkins’ deal. Jones hasn’t seen a great deal of playing time so his loss isn’t great for the Thunder. The Cavs may ask for a draft pick as well but where the Thunder are picking those aren’t as valuable.
The Cavaliers get a little attitude with Perkins, veteran leadership and 6 fouls. Not much else at this point. The extra year on Perkins contract is concerning but acquiring the talented, but enigmatic Jones is the real exciting part for the team. Jones has the flexibility and height to play 3 front court positions. He lacks overall strength and needs to mature but also gets very little game time opportunity with the Thunder. Adding a Thunder draft pick is also helpful for the team to restock quickly.
Verdict: Neither team pulls the trigger but both think about it long and hard.
Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Luol Deng to the Phoenix Suns for Emeka Okafor’s Contract and a 2014 First Rounder
ESPN Trade Machine Confirmation
For the Suns acquiring Deng is a much better player then Pau Gasol. The Suns slide Deng directly into their starting lineup and he is a drastic upgrade over PJ Tucker. Deng would allow the Suns to still play some small ball with Channing Frye sliding down to the center position. With Eric Bledsoe due back from injury and the team competing in the ultra competitive West this move allows them to solidify the weakest position on their team. The Suns are also well known for their medical staff which could interest Deng as he attempts to stay healthy after years of taking a pounding with the Bulls. The Suns potentially have 4 first rounders in next years vaunted draft and have interest in moving one or more to obtain a star.
For the Cavaliers this is all about the draft pick. Currently they have their own pick and the Pacers (Top 14 protected) that they will for sure have at the draft. They also have the Wizards pick (Top 12 protected) which in the East is more then likely going to be transferred to the Suns. The least likely pick they could have next year is the T-Wolves (Top 13 protected) which would stay with the Wolves given their struggles this year. The Cavs could make a trade for the highest pick of all the Suns picks next year, and hope its the Wolves or Wizards pick in the middle of the round or could make a trade for specific picks. Could they acquire 2 of these picks, the Suns and Pacers, for Deng?
Verdict: The Suns are willing to make the deal and the Cavs sit on it till the deadline hour is approaching, looking for a better deal and hoping to get the Suns to bite on putting in 2 picks. A deal is struck and the Cavaliers move on from the Deng trade with better assets then what they gave up to acquire him.
What are you thoughts on these 4 trades? Do you think our verdict is wrong on any of them? Do you prefer to hold on to Deng and hope? Do you like the earlier Warriors trade better? Share you thoughts below.