The Bulls Trade Luol Deng to the Cavs for Basically Nothing

So I misworded it. According to the Bulls, the team conveyed the contract of Luol Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers who in turn conveyed the the contract of Andrew Bynum to the Bulls, along with a few picks with a few stipulations. I'm not sure exactly why, but the wording of the press releases really bothers me. I've never seen anyone word a trade press release like that before.

Bynum will be waived immediately, so don't get any dreams of the "Twin Towers" of Bynum and Joakim Noah. Cutting Bynum saves the Bulls $6 million in salary, but more importantly, $15 million in luxury tax money. Fans are always really concerned about saving Jerry Reinsdorf and Co money, but I'd hate to admit that I don't really care. I understand the rules of the salary cap, but the deal doesn't change the Bulls cap position much had the team allowed Deng to walk in free agency.

Why Wouldn't Deng Resign?

Word on Twitter from Bulls' beat reporter KC Johnson is that the Bulls offered 3 years/$30 million and 4 years/$40 million, though Deng is apparently looking for $14-$15 million a year. The Bulls weren't going to pay him what he wanted, and I have little doubt that some GM will come along with the offer Deng's looking for. You should totally understand that if you were in the same situation, you would want to maximize your earnings too.

We also must not forget management's handling of Deng's injury and sickness issues. You may recall that during the 2013 playoffs, Deng received a spinal tap and the poor guy nearly died. However, before that, the Bulls told Deng to get surgery on his injured wrist and not play in the Olympics--a once in a lifetime opportunity for one of professional sports' most global citizens. Deng may even sign for $10 million in the offseason, but it has been made pretty clear that he did not like how he was treated by management.

Deng's been one of my favorite players, and I've loved watching him play. His loss is devastating not only for his on-court efforts, but also because he's genuinely a great person. Character can often be tossed aside in the NBA, but Deng certainly isn't lacking it.

What did the Bulls really Get?

On top of saving the Bulls corporation significant cash payments, the trade netted the Bulls a few picks. The Bulls received a protected first round pick via the Sacramento Kings. The pick is top 12 protected this year, and top 10 protected until 2017. If the Kings remain miserable, then the Bulls will receive a 2017 2nd round pick. The Bulls also received 2 second round picks, one in 2015 and one in 2016 from the Portland Trail Blazers. With the Blazers off to an amazing start and wielding a young core that includes LaMarcus Aldridge, Damian Lillard, Nic Batum, and Wesley Matthews, I don't like the odds of that pick being located near the beginning of the 2nd round. Still, things can change rapidly in the NBA, so you never know.

It's tough to speculate, but I don't like the odds of the Bulls ever getting a first rounder out of this. Sacremento is a terrible team in an extremely difficult conference. Demarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay are some of the most selfish players in the history of the NBA, and, in typical NBA fashion, the team didn't allow hedge fund manager Chris Hansen and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to buy the team to move it to Seattle and ball out. Maybe the Kings will get an unlucky bounce and be out of the top 10 within the next three years, but the odds are not great.

The Bulls can also swap picks with the Cavs after next season, assuming the Cavs don't resign LeBron James and begin stacking championship trophies. Heck, the Cavs might be better than the Bulls next season without LeBron, but this essentially gives the Bulls unlimited upside with no downside risk. 

There's no need to turn this trade into anything other than it is: a money saver. Sure, maybe it helps the Bulls to lose their best player and any chance at winning. Maybe the Bulls fall into the lottery, but even if they do not, the Bulls will have a better pick without Deng than with him.

Ultimately, I cannot help but think that the Bulls could have received something better. I know this post-lockout NBA has become much wiser in terms of signing players to outlandish deals (Drew Gooden) as well as in terms of acquiring assets. Nevertheless, I think the Bulls could have waited and received a guaranteed first round pick or at least a young asset for the future. Aside from the financial gain, this was a very risky trade.

I've loved every moment of Deng's career, and it sucks to see him go. I loved him paired with Ben Gordon, and I loved watching him bust his ass no matter how injured he was. The Bulls are officially in tank mode, but they may also be in "make life so unbearable for Tom Thibodeau that he quits" mode. We'll see what happens, but it will be a long season.

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Game Preview: Bulls Vs Grizzlies

Tonight, your 11-17 Chicago Bulls take on the 13-16 Memphis Grizzlies down in Tennessee. People from Chicago love Nashville, so I assume they like Memphis too.

Regardless, the Grizzlies have definitely struggled this year after losing Marc Gasol to injury and eradicating head coach Lionel Hollins. Tom Thibodeau's dad's funeral was earlier today, but he is expected back at game time. I feel so sorry for Coach Thibodeau, and though he's acting brave, he should feel free to take time for himself if he so desires. There's always a little extra incentive when one of your teammates, or in this case, your coach, is experiencing emotional duress. The Bulls should respond accordingly tonight.

Trade rumors are now swirling about the Bulls trading Luol Deng to the Cavaliers for Andrew Bynum and perhaps a first rounder. Don't get too excited: the Cavs want to trade Bynum because he's a jerk who doesn't care much about basketball or teamwork. The Bulls would acquire him, buy him out, and subsequently move under the luxury tax threshold.

I'm not crazy about this idea. For one, the Bulls are the most profitable team in the NBA. Reinsdorf and Co. can afford to fork over a few million dollars. More importantly, trading Deng all but ensures that there's no chance he returns to the Bulls. Unless the Bulls are 100% sure they want to be done with Deng, there's no reason to trade him and burn bridges.

As for tonight...

Without Gasol, the Grizzlies do not score enough, nor are they a dominant defensive squad. Mike Conley and Zach Randolph average 17 points per game, but outside of Jerryd Bayless, the Grizzlies don't have any other scorers. And it shows. The Grizz average just 94.8 points per game, good for 25th overall.

I love watching both of these teams play, but without their respective stars, this game could be ugly. Look for the Bulls to keep it close, if not steal this game.

Final Score: Bulls 91 Grizz 87

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The Demise of Joakim Noah?

Last night's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers could only be toppled by the Chicago Bear's blown game against the Minnesota Vikings earlier this afternoon. What a terrible weekend for Chicago sports.

Last night's game against the Cavaliers wasn't as bad as the records might indicate. Cleveland is a decent team with lots of offensive firepower. Kyrie Irving, though mostly contained, still poured in 19 points and 6 assists. Emerging power forward Tristan Thompson had 14/14, and Dion Waiters did his best Nate Robinson impression, coming in off the bench and taking every shot that came his way en route to 20 points and 0 assists.

However, the big difference maker last night was one Andrew Bynum. The much heavier Bynum dropped in 20 points, grabbed 10 boards, and blocked 5 shots in 30 minutes of action. Bynum absolutely dominated Joakim Noah, which leads me to this question...

Are we experiencing the demise of Joakim Noah?

After posting career highs in scoring, rebounds, and blocked shots last season, Noah has yet to show anything offensively, scoring only 8.8 points per game on 45% shooting from the field. On the defensive end, Noah has not shown his trademark energy to quite the same extent, grabbing only 8 boards per game and not even averaging 1 block per contest.

It goes without saying that, offensively, Noah has zero confidence. His trademark 18 footer isn't there, but even worse, he's scared to death of pulling the trigger. Noah's only shooting 62% from the freet throw line, down 10 percentage points from his career average of 72%. While his hi-low passing remains fantastic, Noah no longer needs to be guarded on the perimeter, allowing teams to clog the paint against slashes from Luol Deng and easily double down on Carlos Boozer or Taj Gibson in the post. This allows a poor defensive team like the Cavaliers to look competent (at times).

On the defensive end, I suspect Noah isn't suffering from a lack of confidence. Rebounds are often as much effort as skill, particularly for Noah. This season, guys like Anderson Varejao and Bynum have pushed him around with little resistance. Because Noah usually plays well at the beginning of games, I'm questioning whether his issue may be conditioning or even the lingering impact of the injuries Noah sustained during the preseason.

A Gibson/Boozer combination is too small to remain on the floor for a sustained period of time, particularly against a dominant post scorer like Andrew Bynum. Noah either needs to sit until he's healthy or figure out what's going on in his head.

If the Bulls want to make it to a second round exit this year, Noah must step up his game. I have a hard time believing his career has peaked, and I am confident that he'll resemble the Joakim Noah of 2012-13 at some point this season. However, this offseason may be the perfect time to start grooming his successor.

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Chicago Bulls (2-3) Vs Cleveland Cavaliers (3-4)

With the battle of the pathetic Florida teams headlining Monday Night Football, tonight is the perfect night for Chicago Bulls basketball. The Bulls take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cavs continue to build a solid core around star point guard Kyrie Irving, and if this team acquires LeBron James in the offseason, the Cavs will dominate the East once again. Let's take a look at some key players.

Kyrie Irving

I can't recall a more obvious number 1 pick who was a less of a consensus pick than Kryie Irving. Due to injury, he didn't play much at Duke, and we've also seen him slowed in the NBA. However, don't let some injury trouble and his slow start in 2013 fool you: Irving is an elite point guard. He certainly showed it last night, dropping in 39 points with a career-high 12 assists.

Irving isn't a one dimensional scorer; rather, he's a quick guard who can get to the rim and finish with fantastic three point range. Irving is one of the most unguardable players  in the league, so Derrick Rose will have his hands full in their first ever head-to-head match-up.

While we've seen the Bulls do a fantastic job clogging the paint, Irving is incredibly talented, so he will get his buckets. If the Bulls sufficiently clog the paint, he can display his solid passing skills by hitting one of his strong three point shooters like Jarrett Jack, Dion Waiters, or C.J. Miles. Ouch. That's dangerous.

Andrew Bynum: 2nd Bust in a Row?

Cavaliers fans were rewarded this offseason with gobs of cap room, but let's face it, the team  hopes LeBron James opts out of his contract with the Heat in order to return home to Ohio. Whether or not you think there's a chance that happens (it's either Miami or Cleveland, IMO), the Cavs' front office wanted to retain maximal flexibility, hence the team took a chance on former Laker stud Andrew Bynum.

Bynum has played in just 5 of the Cavaliers' 7 games, and he has not looked good.  Like many 7 footers, Bynum's knees have been horrible for the majority of his career, and he was also sidelined all of last season as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.

If Bynum does play (doubtful since this would be a back-to-back), he will not make a meaningful impact. Bynum has looked lost offensively, shooting just 32% from the field--an impressive task consider how short his average shot is. Bynum is not the double-double machine that he was for the Lakers in 2011-12. In fact, he's hardly worth mentioning at this point, less his $12 million contract.

Tristan Thompson

Tristan Thompson had a disappointing rookie campaign, but he's become a solid and durable power forward. We can assume he'll match-up against Boozer defensively, but Boozer respond by banging the ball inside against the much lighter defender. The trio of Taj Gibson, Boozer, and Jokaim Noah should help keep Thompson off the boards on both ends of the court. Along the same line, Thompson won't be able to do much inside, so look for him to settle for some long, inefficient jump shots.

Although Kyrie Irving is a top 5 point guard, the Bulls will win tonight. However, I think it will be a struggle. The Bulls have not played well against teams with great three point shooters, and the Cavs are just that with Waiters, Irving, and Jack on the court at the same time. The Bulls should be able to get some easy buckets offensively, especially since Anderson Varejao hasn't to form after he missed considerable time last year with a blood clot.

Boozer should go off for at least 20 points tonight. Rose should have another solid game, showing some strides, though Irving will embarrass him on the defensive end a few times. The Cavs aren't a great rebounding team, so Taj and Noah should generate several second chance opportunities. With the Cavs taking the 11th most three pointers in the league, the Bulls should have several fast break opportunities that will lead to easy buckets for Jimmy Pump Fakes.  

More importantly, the Cavs are not a deep team and have to play the Bulls after a double-overtime victory last night. 4 of 5 starters played 40+ minutes, while the Cavs' best bench player, Jarrett Jack, played 37 minutes. The Cavs will be tired, and the game could get ugly if the Bulls get out on the break like they did against Utah.

The score: Bulls 97 Cavs 89