Deng Deal Done

With a deal in place, Luol Deng should officially be a Chicago Bull through the 2014 season. The six-year, $71 million deal "includes incentives that could increase the total value to $80 million," according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The Bulls had to finalize the deal before Monday when Deng leaves for the European Championships as part of the British team.

That all happened this morning, so now comes the fun part. Is this deal ultimately good for the Bulls?

Prior to the 2007-08 season, Chicago offered the small forward a five-year, $57.5 million deal and his numbers declined this season as he played just 63 games. Critics will say that they overpaid and succumbed to Deng's willingness to sign a one-year tender and become an unrestricted free agent after the season, which would result in Deng likely not wearing a Bulls uniform in 2009. But I think the money was well spent. The first reason is that no one on the Bulls had a good year last year. The team severely underachieved (if there has ever been an understatement, that's it) and went through a bad situation with former head coach Scott Skiles. The second is that since 2004, Deng has been the team's most consistent player. He's proven to be an efficient scorer, rebounder, tough defender and shoots a fairly good percentage from the field. The third is that he no doubt has the potential to be an All-Star and I was confident that last year would be his breakout year. But with all the above distractions, including an unknown future, I'm optimistic that Deng has had his worst season.

Deng's deal also affects the one of Ben Gordon. His agent, Raymond Brothers, believes his client should be the highest paid player on the team since he scores the most. Unfortunately, Mr. Brothers, you fail to recognize that Gordon lacks a certain necessary skill: defense. Anytime the Bulls played a team with two legitimate starting guards, his inability to play any sort of on-the-ball defense immediately put the Bulls behind the eight ball. Sure he can score with the best of them and is one of the best streak shooters in the league. But that's it. He cannot handle the ball, he turns it over far too often, and once again, he doesn't play defense. The Bulls should either sign Gordon to a one-year qualifying offer after which he would be an unrestricted free agent or they should sign and trade the guard. I like the latter better, which Gordon would have to approve.

You may be wondering why the Bulls just don't offer Gordon a deal that would make him the team's highest paid player. Well, that would force the Bulls to pay Gordon $13 million per season and put the Bulls near the luxury-tax threshold. And if you know anything about owner Jerry Reinsdorf, he wants nothing to do with going over the salary crap, one reason why the Bulls turn the highest profit of all NBA teams, but also the reason why they are reluctant to offer big-time contracts to multiple players. And as much grief as Paxson will take for this contract to Deng, paying Gordon more would create utter chaos, and give me a heart attack.

I have said from the beginning that I wanted the Bulls to keep Deng and ship Gordon away. They accomplished part one with what the Bulls hope can be a cornerstone of their franchise and someone they can count on for 20/7/3 for the next six years. But will they go through with part two? Stay tuned.