Courtesy: Chicago Tribune
The Cleveland Cavaliers recently traded Andrew Bynum and three draft picks to the Chicago Bulls for Luol Deng. This trade will impact the future for both of these franchises.
The 2013 part of this NBA season has not turned out as expected for either of these teams. This trade was made to help improve how 2014 will play out for each team. Here is a look at the trade and it’s effects on each franchise.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently is 11-23 and out of the playoff picture. The only teams worse than the Cavaliers, in the Eastern Conference, are the Orlando Magic (10-24) and Milwaukee Bucks (7-26). Before the season started, the Cavaliers were a young team, with high expectations of making the playoffs.
Recently, it was rumored that the Cavilers and Andrew Bynum have been having their differences. Cleveland ended up suspending Bynum indefinitely on Saturday December 27th, 2013. This season, Bynum has not been the player Cleveland expected him to be. Bynum averaged 20 minutes per night. During his time on the court, he averaged 8.4PTs, 7.7REBs, 1.3ASTs and 1.6BLKs.
Both Bynum and the Cavaliers have been struggling this season. Cleveland is a short-term winner in this trade because they got rid of Bynum and acquired Luol Deng.
Courtesy: Zimbio
Deng is a tremendous basketball player, who is still having a great career. He has spent his whole 9-year NBA career in Chicago and currently he is having his best year statistically. So far this season, Deng averages 19.0PTs, 3.7ASTs, 6.9REBs and 1.2STLs per game. He is a strong three guard and that is exactly what Cleveland needs.
This season, the Cavaliers have been very weak at the three spot. If Kyrie Irving and Luol Deng can stay healthy and productive, then the Cavaliers may have chance of grabbing the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. This is possible due to how bad the Eastern Conference actually is. Right now, 5 out of the 8 teams in playoff position are below .500 in the Eastern Conference.
Without a doubt, this trade will help Cleveland this season. In the long run, this trade raises a lot of questions. For instance, they gave the Bulls three draft picks. Cleveland is young but their most recent number one draft pick, Anthony Bennett, has been a bust. It looks like the upcoming draft will be a talent filled one, which hurts Cleveland by giving away their first round pick, which is a top 10 protected pick.
Another big concern, Luol Deng becomes a free agent this summer. He might be able to help Cleveland this season but if he walks and takes an offer from a contender this summer, the Cavaliers are left without Deng and still lost three draft picks. If Deng walks, the Cavaliers are back to square one. This trade will only reach its full potential for Cleveland if Deng resigns with them this summer.
CHICAGO BULLS
This season has been a nightmare for Chicago but the Chicago Bulls are big time winners in this trade. They are a franchise that currently is surrounded by questions of the future. With another injury to Derrick Rose, some are questioning if they should put so much of their future on his shoulders. The Bulls need to prepare for long term success with or without Rose, which makes the three draft picks acquired a big deal for Chicago. This year’s lottery is strong and Chicago’s 2014 first round draft pick could be enormous.
Courtesy: Rant Sports
As I mentioned earlier, Deng becomes a free agent this summer. If Chicago kept Deng, they risked losing him to free agency. It has been reported that Deng recently rejected a $30 Million extension from the Bulls right before the trade. I’m sure that his rejection played a significant role in him being traded. This hurts the Bulls somewhat this season because they are currently holding the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference and without Deng, could lose their playoff spot.
Fortunately, for Chicago, Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson have been developing both offensively and defensively and I believe head coach Tom Thibodeau can get Chicago into the playoffs. Undoubtedly, the remainder of the season will be tough for Chicago.
Chicago has young, blossoming talent and gaining three draft picks will help them avoid any sort of re-building process, something Derrick Rose has openly stated he wants nothing to do with. Hopefully, Rose will be back for the start of the 2014-2015 season.
The Bulls need another star to play along side Derrick Rose. This is where this trade also helps out Chicago greatly. The Bulls will waive Andrew Bynum and save $15 Million. The Bulls are making moves to save money to spend this offseason. It has been reported they might amnesty Carlos Boozer this summer to save another $10 Million. Look out for the Bulls to try to make a grab at some big names this offseason. Yes, I’m hinting at Chicago making a run at Carmelo Anthony.
By the time Derrick Rose is ready to lace up and get on the hardwood again, the Chicago Bulls will definitely look different and potentially be a very talented roster. I’d say Chicago got the best deal out of this trade.
All statistics credited to NBA.com and basketball-refrence.com
