Cleveland Cavaliers: Starting Five From LeBron-less Era

Small Forward- #9 Luol Deng

Former All-Star small forward Luol Deng was acquired from the Chicago Bulls in a January 2014 trade. Deng was, at the time, a legitimate addition in an attempt to make the postseason.

The Cleveland Cavaliers finished 33-49 and missed the playoffs.  Deng had no interest in actually  playing for Cleveland. It was excruciatingly apparent. He was due to be an unrestricted free agent following the season and the Chicago Bulls lack of an adequate extension offer forced the deal.

He averaged 19 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists during his 23 games with the Bulls. While with the Cavaliers, those numbers dipped to 14.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest in 40 games played.

Ho-hum. Why is he on the list, then? I never mentioned what was exchanged for Deng’s services. The Cavaliers sent Andrew Bynum and multiple future picks to the Bulls.

Yes. Andrew-Freaking-Bynum. Selecting Deng as my starter at the three spot allowed me to get two birds stoned at once.

Bynum, perhaps the biggest waste of talent in NBA history, was set to rake in $12 million during the 2013-14 season. The Bulls immediately waived him upon the deal’s completion, right before his deal became guaranteed.

Bynum averaged 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 24 games played for the Cavaliers. He finished the 2013-2014 campaign with the Indiana Pacers and never played another game in The Association.

Hindsight can be quite humorous, especially after an NBA championship.