POB Article

[electricmayhem]

I agree completely. Hopefully the Bulls will be able to do something this summer after teams have seen their bottom lines in this economy.

What exactly don't you all like about Deng? He's just two seasons removed from an 18 and 7 campaign, and injuries have dogged him the last two years. He's only 24 years old and has averaged 15ppg for his career. I've heard the argument that he's soft on D, but nobody else on the team has the combination to drive the basket or hit the mid-range jumper.

If he's healthy next year, he could be a major contributor to the team. That being said, would I move Deng and Thomas for Bosh? Absolutely.

[thefish7]

It's not what I don't like about Deng the player... It's what I don't like about Deng + Deng's contract. He's a fine player, he's just not an elite player and so a team that pays him like one is doing itself no favors.

[VeveJones007]

It's not what I don't like about Deng the player... It's what I don't like about Deng + Deng's contract. He's a fine player, he's just not an elite player and so a team that pays him like one is doing itself no favors.

What he said.

I think Deng can be the 3rd option on a championship team, but he's getting paid like a 2nd option. I'm not trying to rag on him. He's a very solid player...just not a great player.

One of his major limitations is that he's not very good at beating his man off the dribble. He gets most of his inside points from passes when he cuts to the basket. That would be alright if he were pretty good in the post, but he's not. He's a solid jump-shooter, off-the-ball scorer, and an above-average defender.

[SFP]

How old is Deng? He's very young still and has a tremendous upside. The question is not if the Bulls can get him what other options do the Raptors have? If they lose Bosh for zero then they have failed even more so then trading him for a Deng like player but then again they could trade him for salary cap and pick up some free agents. It will be interesting off-season to see how teams will jockey their roster for the following year, free agent class. No matter what LJ will make a ton and Detroit will be bad next year. Also I wonder how much the down economy will effect the market?

[electricmayhem]

How old is Deng? He's very young still and has a tremendous upside. The question is not if the Bulls can get him what other options do the Raptors have? If they lose Bosh for zero then they have failed even more so then trading him for a Deng like player but then again they could trade him for salary cap and pick up some free agents. It will be interesting off-season to see how teams will jockey their roster for the following year, free agent class. No matter what LJ will make a ton and Detroit will be bad next year. Also I wonder how much the down economy will effect the market?

Deng is 24 years old. Trade him for AP and POB!

[SFP]

Deng is 24 years old. Trade him for AP and POB!

AP is a free agent I believe!

[VeveJones007]

How old is Deng? He's very young still and has a tremendous upside. The question is not if the Bulls can get him what other options do the Raptors have? If they lose Bosh for zero then they have failed even more so then trading him for a Deng like player but then again they could trade him for salary cap and pick up some free agents. It will be interesting off-season to see how teams will jockey their roster for the following year, free agent class. No matter what LJ will make a ton and Detroit will be bad next year. Also I wonder how much the down economy will effect the market?

Don't mistake youth with upside. He's not going to get quicker or more athletic than he already is, and those are two things that are holding him back.

Simply losing Bosh to free agency would be better than replacing him with Deng for a couple of reasons:

1) They would have more money for free agents since Deng's contract would carry-over for what, like 5 more years?
2) They would be worse, increasing their chances of getting higher draft picks the next few years.

Now, if Toronto gets an offer for a better young player with a more manageable contract, that changes things.

[thefish7]

I think a more acceptable offer would be Hinrich, Thomas, a pick, and a matching salary for Bosh. THat'd be fine with me also and woudln't ruin Toronto's salary cap position... But I'd prefer to be out from under Deng if at all possible-- even though the Bulls could still afford Rose, Deng, and Bosh.

[electricmayhem]

AP is a free agent I believe!

Sign and trade, baby... get 'er done!