Odom is still under contract for the mavs
~--~Official 2012 NBA Draft/Offseason Thread~--~
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Odom is still under contract for the mavs
hey I didn't make the story up. That's what the article said and honestly no one thinks they are keeping him, Odom included. His agent is probably acting on that belief and trying to secure a spot for him as soon as possible. The longer it takes a team to sign him the more likely he will slip through the cracks like other veterans who've had bad seasons.
c/s
Wont stopping saying this name, mainly if Jones retires, adding youth athleticism, 3pt shooter, slasher, transitional finisher/defender along with excitement to the bench.
^^^ why wouldn't the Nets offer him more money... They have tons of cash to keep their better players
The Bulls are getting Dwight Howard.
I think they would, but just would like to see him with Miami.
I can see the Mavs going after Kaman
I read we target Hibbert but I'd rather not
If we offer him a Max deal when we let Chandler go for a non max deal I might just lose it
I read we target Hibbert but I'd rather not
If we offer him a Max deal when we let Chandler go for a non max deal I might just lose it
Remember you'll let Tyson go in hopes of getting Dwight Howard, so it would be a nice makeup signing.
Oh I was saying you were. Sorry if I gave that impression off. The thing is I know Lamar wants to be back in LA or Miami. Here is the problem with Odom his final year is a team option but if you cancel his contract you still owe him if I remember half of it. Similar to VC in PHX and recently Rashard Lewis to New Orleans.
So he has to have a team trade for him. That means a team has to match salaries (his total salary 8 million. Then cut him only owing 4 million.) problem with that people know Dallas want odom out so his trade value is shit.
Gerald Green said recently and all through the summer he will give the Nets a discount because they were the only team to give him a chance
yea that would be crazy problem is with restricted free agents and this new CBA if you make an offer that offer and money is locked until the player makes a decision. No more taking offers off the table
He is still under contract but next year of it isn't fully guaranteed until the 29th of this month. So they can give him a payout of 2.4 million and release him before then. There is talk that both sides may agree to push the deadline back but as of now they have until next Friday to let him go.
it would be ok but we would be overpaying to give him max money
he is about a 10 million a year type of guy not 16 mor whatever it would be
if we got Dwill and then tried to get Hibbert with what was left I would be cool with that though
shit I think it was like that with the last CBA too
if you make an offer to a restricted guy you can't offer that money for anyone else for those 7 days the current team has to match...the current team can really play you and use all 7 of those days while your other targets get signed and then match the offer
I really don't like the idea of going after restricted free agents
now it's 3 days
niggas about to get paid tho
well that goes that idea, fuck i aint mad at him though...
after that nets vs heat game, had me thinking about the signing
Gerald Green, on what LeBron said to him after the game.
He told me he’s very happy for me. He’s happy that I’m back in the
league, he told me just cherish the moment, you’re doing a really good
job, that I’m playing good and he’s happy for me. I told him thank you,
and good luck in the playoffs. I think he’ll go far.
thats great news but shit still in 3 days a lot of shit can happen in free agency
the only big piece(Deron) said he is making his choice day 1
I had always said it was ridiculous that dude didn't have a spot in the NBA for those couple of years he is far too talented for that
Happy to see him back in as well
Man you called the heat the buffalo bills of basketball, get yo ass outta here lol
wade > jim kelly
wade > OJ
wade > OJ
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/lin-ot...8--nba.html;_ylt=AkDEbukrQPTM_LTVmPuLzEC8vLYF
Arbitrator rules in favor of NBA players
By The Sports Xchange | The SportsXchange – Fri, Jun 22, 2012 9:10 PM EDT
New York Knicks' Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak, Los Angeles Clippers' Chauncey Billups and Portland Trail Blazers' J.J. Hickson secured Bird and early Bird rights in a hearing between the NBA players' association and the league, ESPN New York reported Friday.
Arbitrator Kenneth Dam affirmed that players claimed off waivers can retain their valuable Bird and early Bird rights when they become free agents. If Lin, Billups, Novak and Hickson re-sign, then their teams are allowed to exceed the salary cap.
The Boston Celtics were the first team to use this exception, re-signing star forward Larry Bird to go over the cap.
Lin, Novak, Billups and Hickson were waived this past season and claimed by other teams. They become free agents July 1.
Also, future players claimed off waivers will benefit from Friday's ruling.
The NBA plans to appeal the ruling. The players' association does not believe the appeal will be resolved by July 1, which starts the free agency period.
Lin and Novak will have early Bird rights, which means they can re-sig for 175 percent of their salary from the previous season or the NBA average salary, whichever amount is higher.
Billups and Hickson will have Bird rights, so they can re-sign up to the maximum salary.
The Knicks are helped significantly by the ruling. They can keep Lin, Novak and Landry Fields at up to $5 million each and then sign an additional player at $3 million or less with their mid-level exception. The Knicks may be seeking an experienced point guard, including Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Andre Miller or Raymond Felton.
They can also hold on to J.R. Smith if he accepts his player option of about $2.5 million. He has a June 26 deadline to decide if he wants to use the option. If Smith opts out, he can re-sign at 120 percent of his previous year's salary using a non-Bird exception.
The Knicks would then only have veteran's minimum contracts of $1.4 million to spend on the remainder of their roster.
Man you guys should hope the Mavs get Hibbert and Cuban doesn't go cheap again, Hibbert is already an All Star and it looks like to me that he hasn't reached his ceiling yet. If Deron stays in NJ then Hibbert is the best player you will likely fine that gives Dirk another chance at a title.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/lin-ot...8--nba.html;_ylt=AkDEbukrQPTM_LTVmPuLzEC8vLYF
The Knicks are helped significantly by the ruling. They can keep Lin, Novak and Landry Fields at up to $5 million each and then sign an additional player at $3 million or less with their mid-level exception. The Knicks may be seeking an experienced point guard, including Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Andre Miller or Raymond Felton.
They can also hold on to J.R. Smith if he accepts his player option of about $2.5 million. He has a June 26 deadline to decide if he wants to use the option. If Smith opts out, he can re-sign at 120 percent of his previous year's salary using a non-Bird exception.
The Knicks would then only have veteran's minimum contracts of $1.4 million to spend on the remainder of their roster.
Fields is a 3 million guy at best. Novak is a 2.5 million guy and Lin should get that 5. JR might opt outso he can come back for a 3 million raise as well.
if them dudes lost game 7 to boston they would have been the buffalo bills....down 3-2 u broke a sweat as well.
i hope they give Hasheem Thabeet a look, dude is a real athletic and big. if he can learn to catch he would be perfect. he will definitely be an upgrade over joel and turiaf.
I think if Miller retires, you can book Ray Allen to the Heat. And if they want a big, they may have an outside shot at Dalembert.
I think the Knicks get Felton and resign JR Smith or Jamal Crawford.
Steve Nash will stay a Sun IMHO. Dude is just way too loyal lol.
I think the Knicks get Felton and resign JR Smith or Jamal Crawford.
Steve Nash will stay a Sun IMHO. Dude is just way too loyal lol.
Three NBA draft trade ideas
The first game of the NBA Finals served notice that the Miami Heat versus the Oklahoma City Thunder may be one of the most riveting matchups we've seen in years, but looming just on the horizon is the draft. If the Finals go seven games, there will be just a two-day gap between the crowning of the champion and the de facto start of the 2012-13 season, which will begin after the New Orleans Hornets presumably select Anthony Davis No. 1 on June 28. So we have to keep that in mind as we enjoy some tremendous on-court action.
The draft is the most exciting time of the year for fans who love to break down transactions, and the trade buzz that surrounds that day is the most interesting part of the process. That's when we learn how teams view themselves. Are they trying to fill a need that will allow them to take the next step as a franchise, or are they tearing down while building a new foundation? Successful franchises answer those questions correctly.
With that in mind, let's consider three possible pre-draft trades that would be mutually beneficial to the teams involved.
1. The Chicago Bulls trade C Joakim Noah and the No. 29 pick to the Sacramento Kings for G Tyreke Evans and the No. 5 pick.
The Kings are rumored to want another big man to pair with DeMarcus Cousins, and the unselfish, defense-oriented style of Noah would be a perfect on-court fit. The trade works financially because of the amount of cap space the Kings have, so there are no concerns there. The Kings would still have Marcus Thornton to play the 2 while hoping that Isaiah Thomas or, gulp, Jimmer Fredette turns out to be a long-term answer in the backcourt as well. And, who knows, perhaps the big numbers Terrence Williams put up at the end of last season were for real. It wasn't that long ago that he was a lottery pick.
A starting five of Thomas, Thornton, Williams, Noah and Cousins works well in terms of complementary skills. It's a jumping-off point for a group still searching for some kind of concrete identity. Noah would bring heart and soul to Sacramento, or wherever the Kings end up playing long-term. Frankly, those are qualities the Kings have lacked for quite some time.
The swap of picks is important from the Bulls' standpoint, as they would want to add another center to replace Noah, and Connecticut's Andre Drummond would fit in nicely, either as a starter or as a backup to Omer Asik. If Drummond is gone, then Thomas Robinson or, even, Jared Sullinger could be a possibility, or they could opt for Harrison Barnes as the eventual successor to Luol Deng at the 3.
When healthy, Noah is an All-Star type of player, while Evans has regressed during his NBA career, so the Bulls could hold out for the pick swap. The money the Bulls save from dealing Noah would help them keep Asik, a restricted free agent this summer, as well as Taj Gibson, who can become one next year.
Evans could run the point while Derrick Rose recovers from knee surgery, then play alongside him when he comes back. The Bulls desperately need a second shot-creator, and Evans could be that guy. Evans has underachieved defensively in the NBA, but Tom Thibodeau would cure him of that. He has the physical traits of someone that should be an elite defensive guard.
Evans will be a restricted free agent next year, so Chicago would get a season to evaluate him as an extension candidate, which they could pull off by amnestying Carlos Boozer. He's the kind of high-ceiling player that's going to be difficult for Chicago to obtain going forward, so if, as rumored, he's on the market, it's time to pounce.
[+] Enlarge
Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images
Rudy Gay could become the go-to scorer that the Sixers need.
2. The Memphis Grizzlies trade F Rudy Gay and the No. 25 pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for F Andre Iguodala and the No. 15 pick.
Both of these players are rumored to be on the market and this would be a fascinating basketball trade. The Sixers are desperate for a go-to scorer, which Gay would give them. Gay is a better defender than he used to be and any shortcomings he still has on that end would be coached out of him by Doug Collins. If the Sixers amnesty Elton Brand, they'll have the flexibility to add even more to an exciting young core that features Gay, Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday.
Memphis, on the other hand, would have the fiercest defensive wing combo in the league in Iguodala and Tony Allen. They take a hit offensively, but the Grizzlies' attack is built around big men Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol anyway. With Michael Conley controlling the tempo, the Grizzlies could become an even better version of the kind of slug-it-out halfcourt team that would give even the powerful Thunder fits in the West next season.
The trade also would give Memphis some slight financial relief in the short term and more flexibility down the line, as Iguodala has just one year and an early-termination option left on his contract. It's not exactly a cost-slashing move, but that may be less of a factor for Memphis now that the Grizzlies have a new owner. The swap of picks may not be necessary, but Gay is the higher-ceiling player, so giving Memphis the better pick would help mitigate some of that disparity. It would also give Memphis a better shot at finding a bench scorer to replace O.J. Mayo in the draft.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves trade F Derrick Williams and the No. 18 pick to the Charlotte Bobcats for the No. 2 pick.
Williams was the second pick of last year's draft and played well in spurts for Minnesota during his rookie season. To become a true foundation player, he's going to have to improve the consistency of his outside shot, as well as his decision-making on offense. There is no question that the raw athletic ability is there for Williams to eventually become an All-Star-caliber player. But can he reach that ceiling in Minnesota?
Williams spent about half of his court time last season playing small forward, which is appropriate in a sense because he's a bit of a tweener. He needs the ball in his hands more, and that's not going to happen regularly playing alongside Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love.
The Timberwolves need a perimeter player who can score consistently from the perimeter, which makes Florida's Bradley Beal an ideal get. Beal is the exact kind of knock-down shooter you want to pair with Rubio on the backcourt. His size would be an issue on the defensive end for some teams, but the Timberwolves have one excellent backcourt defender in Rubio and with a big three of Rubio, Love and Beal, they could go after a rangy defensive specialist and stand-still shooter to play small forward. It's a combination that would put Minnesota a rim protector away from quickly moving up the ladder in the West.
Charlotte, on the other hand, is more or less building from scratch. They are hoping that Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo will evolve into legitimate starters, but Williams would give them another piece of the puzzle if he can become the kind of big-time scorer that he's unlikely to be with the Timberwolves.
The question the Bobcats have to answer is this: Is Williams a more desirable building block than Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, or Thomas Robinson, or anyone else not named Anthony Davis? It's a tough call, but Minnesota could also include the No. 18 pick to sweeten the pot. No matter what happens, the Bobcats will be in the running for the top pick again next year anyway, so the more bodies they get, the better.
The first game of the NBA Finals served notice that the Miami Heat versus the Oklahoma City Thunder may be one of the most riveting matchups we've seen in years, but looming just on the horizon is the draft. If the Finals go seven games, there will be just a two-day gap between the crowning of the champion and the de facto start of the 2012-13 season, which will begin after the New Orleans Hornets presumably select Anthony Davis No. 1 on June 28. So we have to keep that in mind as we enjoy some tremendous on-court action.
The draft is the most exciting time of the year for fans who love to break down transactions, and the trade buzz that surrounds that day is the most interesting part of the process. That's when we learn how teams view themselves. Are they trying to fill a need that will allow them to take the next step as a franchise, or are they tearing down while building a new foundation? Successful franchises answer those questions correctly.
With that in mind, let's consider three possible pre-draft trades that would be mutually beneficial to the teams involved.
1. The Chicago Bulls trade C Joakim Noah and the No. 29 pick to the Sacramento Kings for G Tyreke Evans and the No. 5 pick.
The Kings are rumored to want another big man to pair with DeMarcus Cousins, and the unselfish, defense-oriented style of Noah would be a perfect on-court fit. The trade works financially because of the amount of cap space the Kings have, so there are no concerns there. The Kings would still have Marcus Thornton to play the 2 while hoping that Isaiah Thomas or, gulp, Jimmer Fredette turns out to be a long-term answer in the backcourt as well. And, who knows, perhaps the big numbers Terrence Williams put up at the end of last season were for real. It wasn't that long ago that he was a lottery pick.
A starting five of Thomas, Thornton, Williams, Noah and Cousins works well in terms of complementary skills. It's a jumping-off point for a group still searching for some kind of concrete identity. Noah would bring heart and soul to Sacramento, or wherever the Kings end up playing long-term. Frankly, those are qualities the Kings have lacked for quite some time.
The swap of picks is important from the Bulls' standpoint, as they would want to add another center to replace Noah, and Connecticut's Andre Drummond would fit in nicely, either as a starter or as a backup to Omer Asik. If Drummond is gone, then Thomas Robinson or, even, Jared Sullinger could be a possibility, or they could opt for Harrison Barnes as the eventual successor to Luol Deng at the 3.
When healthy, Noah is an All-Star type of player, while Evans has regressed during his NBA career, so the Bulls could hold out for the pick swap. The money the Bulls save from dealing Noah would help them keep Asik, a restricted free agent this summer, as well as Taj Gibson, who can become one next year.
Evans could run the point while Derrick Rose recovers from knee surgery, then play alongside him when he comes back. The Bulls desperately need a second shot-creator, and Evans could be that guy. Evans has underachieved defensively in the NBA, but Tom Thibodeau would cure him of that. He has the physical traits of someone that should be an elite defensive guard.
Evans will be a restricted free agent next year, so Chicago would get a season to evaluate him as an extension candidate, which they could pull off by amnestying Carlos Boozer. He's the kind of high-ceiling player that's going to be difficult for Chicago to obtain going forward, so if, as rumored, he's on the market, it's time to pounce.
[+] Enlarge
Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images
Rudy Gay could become the go-to scorer that the Sixers need.
2. The Memphis Grizzlies trade F Rudy Gay and the No. 25 pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for F Andre Iguodala and the No. 15 pick.
Both of these players are rumored to be on the market and this would be a fascinating basketball trade. The Sixers are desperate for a go-to scorer, which Gay would give them. Gay is a better defender than he used to be and any shortcomings he still has on that end would be coached out of him by Doug Collins. If the Sixers amnesty Elton Brand, they'll have the flexibility to add even more to an exciting young core that features Gay, Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday.
Memphis, on the other hand, would have the fiercest defensive wing combo in the league in Iguodala and Tony Allen. They take a hit offensively, but the Grizzlies' attack is built around big men Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol anyway. With Michael Conley controlling the tempo, the Grizzlies could become an even better version of the kind of slug-it-out halfcourt team that would give even the powerful Thunder fits in the West next season.
The trade also would give Memphis some slight financial relief in the short term and more flexibility down the line, as Iguodala has just one year and an early-termination option left on his contract. It's not exactly a cost-slashing move, but that may be less of a factor for Memphis now that the Grizzlies have a new owner. The swap of picks may not be necessary, but Gay is the higher-ceiling player, so giving Memphis the better pick would help mitigate some of that disparity. It would also give Memphis a better shot at finding a bench scorer to replace O.J. Mayo in the draft.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves trade F Derrick Williams and the No. 18 pick to the Charlotte Bobcats for the No. 2 pick.
Williams was the second pick of last year's draft and played well in spurts for Minnesota during his rookie season. To become a true foundation player, he's going to have to improve the consistency of his outside shot, as well as his decision-making on offense. There is no question that the raw athletic ability is there for Williams to eventually become an All-Star-caliber player. But can he reach that ceiling in Minnesota?
Williams spent about half of his court time last season playing small forward, which is appropriate in a sense because he's a bit of a tweener. He needs the ball in his hands more, and that's not going to happen regularly playing alongside Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love.
The Timberwolves need a perimeter player who can score consistently from the perimeter, which makes Florida's Bradley Beal an ideal get. Beal is the exact kind of knock-down shooter you want to pair with Rubio on the backcourt. His size would be an issue on the defensive end for some teams, but the Timberwolves have one excellent backcourt defender in Rubio and with a big three of Rubio, Love and Beal, they could go after a rangy defensive specialist and stand-still shooter to play small forward. It's a combination that would put Minnesota a rim protector away from quickly moving up the ladder in the West.
Charlotte, on the other hand, is more or less building from scratch. They are hoping that Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo will evolve into legitimate starters, but Williams would give them another piece of the puzzle if he can become the kind of big-time scorer that he's unlikely to be with the Timberwolves.
The question the Bobcats have to answer is this: Is Williams a more desirable building block than Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, or Thomas Robinson, or anyone else not named Anthony Davis? It's a tough call, but Minnesota could also include the No. 18 pick to sweeten the pot. No matter what happens, the Bobcats will be in the running for the top pick again next year anyway, so the more bodies they get, the better.
Why Dalembert when you can have Camby?
JR and the MLE are unrelated the knicks can only offer the tax payer MLE of 3 Million without going over into the hardcap. If JR opts out and then agree's to raise aspect of his contract he will earn 2.9. So the most he can get from the Knicks is about 3 from the knicks in any scenario and that can happen without the use the 3 Million MLE.
A lot of people connected with the organization thinks he will stay due to loving living in NY and playing for the Knicks after years in Denver and China.
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both would be nice, but Kaman mid range would help greatly, not sure where his rebounding and shot blocking are compared to Samuel Dalembert.
I dont have a problem with Ronnie Turiaf. Dude worked great in those pick and roll situations with Lebron, more minutes might help his case also.
Hasheem Thabeet is an interesting name being he's young, athletic and tall, his hands would fit in line with the other Heat bigs that cant catch including Bosh at times. He's going price may easily fit into the budget.
Chris Kaman when healthy is nice, could be a 20/10 guy on the right team.
Because Camby is not leaving Houston.
Marc Stein and Chris Broussard are both reporting that Dallas feels Deron decision is based on money and family.
Wife and kids love NY. Deron wants to go to a contender but knows the only two teams that can afford him are ways off (uhhh Pacers???)
So he will go with money
I think if Dallas pulls off a huge trade before the draft they can be considered the favorites.
Wife and kids love NY. Deron wants to go to a contender but knows the only two teams that can afford him are ways off (uhhh Pacers???)
So he will go with money
I think if Dallas pulls off a huge trade before the draft they can be considered the favorites.
Luol Deng not dismissing rumors
HOUSTON -- Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng revealed this weekend that he will not be surprised if the Bulls trade him this offseason.
While at training camp in Texas with Great Britain's national team preparing for the London Olympics, Deng said he does not believe the Bulls are shopping him in retaliation for his decision to delay the wrist surgery he needs until after the Games.
But Deng, 27, did acknowledge that he's not dismissing recent reports suggesting the Bulls are willing to trade him for a top pick in Thursday's NBA draft, with speculation mounting that Chicago could send Deng to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for the No. 7 overall pick.
Former NBA guard Speedy Claxton, now a scout for the Warriors, was in attendance for Britain's practice at the Toyota Center Sunday afternoon.
"I believe there is always to some extent truth behind rumors," Deng said. "But as an athlete, if you get caught up in them, you are really wasting your time because it's not something you can control.
"If it's not true, a GM could always come out and say it's not true. But if a GM doesn't come out and say it, there are probably talks. And there should be. If I was a GM I would be shopping players around too. I've got to show that I'm doing something.
"A lot of GMs don't just sit there, they're trying their options. Me, I always say there are two things when trades happen -- if I was to be let go by a team and nobody picks me up, that's probably the worst thing. But whenever you hear your name in a trade, that means there is somebody at the other end who wants you.
"As much as I want to stay on the team -- I love Chicago, I love the Bulls -- at the same time, I know the business part of it. Sooner or later, all the rumors are going to come up."
The apparent unease between the team and Deng stems from the end of the Bulls' season when, following their first round playoff exit to the Philadelphia 76ers, Deng insisted he would not alter his long-held plans to represent Britain, the country that granted his family political asylum from the Sudan, in the Olympics.
Deng, who was raised from the age of 10 in London, had been carrying a wrist ligament injury for much of the season, yet still led the league in minutes with 39.4 per game.
However, Bulls management told Deng they would have preferred him to miss the Olympics, the first in which Britain will enter a basketball team since 1948, in order to undergo surgery which would ensure his health for the start of the 2012-13 NBA season.
In a tense exit interview before Deng left Chicago, he told Bulls management that he would not entertain the prospect of missing out on the Games and presented an argument that he might not, in any case, require surgery before the start of the season.
Conspiracy theorists will point to the trade rumors as being a direct consequence of those talks, although Deng does not share the view that the Bulls have acted in response to his stance.
"I don't think so," Deng said. "Me and (coach Tom Thibodeau) have a very close relationship. I spoke to (GM) Gar (Forman), I spoke to (VP of basketball operations John) Paxson and it's one of those things you don't want to bring up.
"He's doing his job. As much as I'm playing basketball, working out, I'm doing my job. You just let it be. If it's going on, it's going on. At the end of the day there are no hard feelings and I'm not a 21-year-old kid who will get upset by it. I understand the game.
"I wouldn't want me to play (in the Olympics) either. Pax is an athlete and, as an athlete who used to play, Pax understands me wanting to play. But as a GM that's his job to try and get the team healthy and get the team ready for next year. I understand both sides to it.
"But it comes down to an injury that happened at the wrong time. I just try to let people know I'm going to be OK
HOUSTON -- Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng revealed this weekend that he will not be surprised if the Bulls trade him this offseason.
While at training camp in Texas with Great Britain's national team preparing for the London Olympics, Deng said he does not believe the Bulls are shopping him in retaliation for his decision to delay the wrist surgery he needs until after the Games.
But Deng, 27, did acknowledge that he's not dismissing recent reports suggesting the Bulls are willing to trade him for a top pick in Thursday's NBA draft, with speculation mounting that Chicago could send Deng to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for the No. 7 overall pick.
Former NBA guard Speedy Claxton, now a scout for the Warriors, was in attendance for Britain's practice at the Toyota Center Sunday afternoon.
"I believe there is always to some extent truth behind rumors," Deng said. "But as an athlete, if you get caught up in them, you are really wasting your time because it's not something you can control.
"If it's not true, a GM could always come out and say it's not true. But if a GM doesn't come out and say it, there are probably talks. And there should be. If I was a GM I would be shopping players around too. I've got to show that I'm doing something.
"A lot of GMs don't just sit there, they're trying their options. Me, I always say there are two things when trades happen -- if I was to be let go by a team and nobody picks me up, that's probably the worst thing. But whenever you hear your name in a trade, that means there is somebody at the other end who wants you.
"As much as I want to stay on the team -- I love Chicago, I love the Bulls -- at the same time, I know the business part of it. Sooner or later, all the rumors are going to come up."
The apparent unease between the team and Deng stems from the end of the Bulls' season when, following their first round playoff exit to the Philadelphia 76ers, Deng insisted he would not alter his long-held plans to represent Britain, the country that granted his family political asylum from the Sudan, in the Olympics.
Deng, who was raised from the age of 10 in London, had been carrying a wrist ligament injury for much of the season, yet still led the league in minutes with 39.4 per game.
However, Bulls management told Deng they would have preferred him to miss the Olympics, the first in which Britain will enter a basketball team since 1948, in order to undergo surgery which would ensure his health for the start of the 2012-13 NBA season.
In a tense exit interview before Deng left Chicago, he told Bulls management that he would not entertain the prospect of missing out on the Games and presented an argument that he might not, in any case, require surgery before the start of the season.
Conspiracy theorists will point to the trade rumors as being a direct consequence of those talks, although Deng does not share the view that the Bulls have acted in response to his stance.
"I don't think so," Deng said. "Me and (coach Tom Thibodeau) have a very close relationship. I spoke to (GM) Gar (Forman), I spoke to (VP of basketball operations John) Paxson and it's one of those things you don't want to bring up.
"He's doing his job. As much as I'm playing basketball, working out, I'm doing my job. You just let it be. If it's going on, it's going on. At the end of the day there are no hard feelings and I'm not a 21-year-old kid who will get upset by it. I understand the game.
"I wouldn't want me to play (in the Olympics) either. Pax is an athlete and, as an athlete who used to play, Pax understands me wanting to play. But as a GM that's his job to try and get the team healthy and get the team ready for next year. I understand both sides to it.
"But it comes down to an injury that happened at the wrong time. I just try to let people know I'm going to be OK
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