Small Forward Luol Deng and The Miami Heat are reportedly meeting later today to talk about a potential move to Miami. Deng was traded mid season last year to Cleveland for Andrew Bynum’s expiring contract, and after that the rest of Deng’s season was a train wreck. Deng tried to play the veteran role on the young team, but may have been too late for him to save the season. Luol clearly did not fit into Mike Brown’s princeton offense and struggled quite a bit towards the end of the year.
Deng also battled injuries last year, mainly a calf injury that really slowed him down. Deng has a lot of miles on his legs playing 677 games in his ten year career, but I think Deng would fit nicely in Miami. Obviously, he’s not the player Miami’s used to seeing at the Small Forward position for the past four years but I think if Wade does come back he could be a solid piece for them at the right price. It was reported that Deng’s camp wanted $15 million a year which everybody knows Luol is not getting that on the open market.
It’s a great move for Pat Riley and Co. to move on quickly though after a wild ride in free agency, because Miami doesn’t have too many big options left. If they can sign Deng and get a Point Guard like Eric Bledsoe or Ramon Sessions (more realistic) they could put together a solid roster to compete in the weak Eastern Conference.
