Luol Deng in Toronto?

[kjh]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgwy...ature=youtu.be

If so Deng's probably just attending to support Africa but one can hope Masai had ulterior motives..

[Chr1s1anL]

Luol Deng in Toronto?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgwy...ature=youtu.be

If so Deng's probably just attending to support Africa but one can hope Masai had ulterior motives..

Good point. Masai did say that one of their needs was a big 3. Deng would fit perfectly on this raptor team. Known league wide as one of the best locker room guys in the league. Would be a great fit. It's all about the $$


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[Employee]

I ain't no cap expert but I imagine they would have to either not resign Lowry or not resign GV and Patterson. The latter might not be so bad depending on the draft. Buuuut, the fact that the Bulls did better after they traded Deng and also that he looked really bad on the Cavs didn't help him. Mind you every one looked bad on the Cavs last year (whaddup Mike Brown).

[Bendit]

Dont mean to demean the very commendable MU efforts to honour Mandela and create a foundation to help African children but the natural consequence of such an endeavour is that many NBA players who are naturally connected to Africa (heritage and otherwise) will gravitate to someone like Masai. This can only help the Raptors of course (while he is here ).

[chico]

My eyes could be failing me, but isn’t that (free agent) Luol Deng at min 1:28 and then again possibly at min 2:10 for Masai's Madiba event in TO?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgwy...ature=youtu.be

If so Deng's probably just attending to support Africa but one can hope Masai had ulterior motives..

He has more class and practices higher ethics than that. He'd lose much respect around the league if he used Mandela and this cause to recruit players. There's a time and place for everything, but this wasn't it.

Then again, he's also looking for a shot blocker, so maybe he's also trying to convince Mutombo to come out of retirement

[Bonus Jonas]

Please tell me how Deng "fits" in Toronto.

[ceez]

Please tell me how Deng "fits" in Toronto.

he can breathe and walk

[imanshumpert]

Let's hope Masai DOESN'T have ulterior motives. Deng is likely gonna command damn near 8 figures per year. Even if we could somehow get far enough under the cap to pay him that I have no interest in doing so. Not efficient, defense is overrated and isn't a particularly good shooter. He's also 30 next season.

I would only consider signing Deng to like a 1+1 deal (1 year with a team option) and he's obviously not going to accept a contract like that at this stage of his career when teams like Dallas and possibly even Phoenix or LA are going to give him more lucrative offers.

Let's stay far far away from diminishing assets like Luol Deng on a long-term deal, thanks. Stop letting Joe Johnson's playoff post-ups cloud your judgment guys. There's a reason the Bulls didn't miss a beat when he was traded.

[Bonus Jonas]

Let's hope Masai DOESN'T have ulterior motives. Deng is likely gonna command damn near 8 figures per year. Even if we could somehow get far enough under the cap to pay him that I have no interest in doing so. Not efficient, defense is overrated and isn't a particularly good shooter. He's also 30 next season.

I would only consider signing Deng to like a 1+1 deal (1 year with a team option) and he's obviously not going to accept a contract like that at this stage of his career when teams like Dallas and possibly even Phoenix or LA are going to give him more lucrative offers.

Let's stay far far away from diminishing assets like Luol Deng on a long-term deal, thanks. Stop letting Joe Johnson's playoff post-ups cloud your judgment guys.

This exactly.

We don't have room for him in our starting lineup and it would be stupid to pay a guy at least 10 mil per for multiple seasons in order to lead my bench.

[YoungGunRaptor]

Please tell me how Deng "fits" in Toronto.

Deng is a terrific defender and has the ability to score from the 3 position. He is a great player and a great teammate as well, from all accounts. He would fit in well on the Raptors. However, Luol Deng is going to be a highly coveted free agent this summer, and will likely be receiving a large contract, one which the Raptors will not likely be willing to give in order to entice him to come to Toronto.

Anyways, I think that Deng did come to attend the event, since he was born in Africa.Maybe he and Masaii talked basketball sometime before or after the event, but Deng was certainly there due to his African Heritage.

[tenforthewin]

Deng would be good but it would cost a lot to acquire him, I would keep with what we have and resign Lowry, Deng can sign with a contender, possibly the Jazz or the Pistons

[imanshumpert]

If we're going to sign a small forward in free agency for long-term money, it needs to be someone who's still young and can get better. They also need to be able to pass well, rebound well and shoot the ball well. Aside from LeBron and Melo who we're obviously not getting. The only small forward in this class that I would give a lucrative long-term deal to is Hayward. Yes his efficiency was down this year due to being the #1 option, but put him back in his proper role as the #3 guy after DeMar and Lowry and you're going to have a very efficient 15-5-5 small forward.

Aside from that, the other options to me are as follows:
- Draft a small forward
- Take a flyer on a vet that might come cheap: Marion, Marvin Williams, PJ Tucker, Mike Miller, Caron Butler, etc
- Take a flyer on a younger guy that might be better than he's shown: Aminu, Xavier Henry, Wesley Johnson, Jordan Hamilton, etc

But please for the love of God, no 8 figure long-term deals to guys like Deng. PLEASE. BC Era needs to end now.

[mcHAPPY]

I don't think Deng would have the same outcome from a personality or work ethic standpoint but the end result screams "HEDO!" for me.

I definitely don't want any short sighted moves that are just as likely to hinder success as advance it.

So many known "names" being thrown around here who are guys looking for one more big contract. Forget them.

Start looking at the guys coming off rookie deals or young 3rd contract guys in 2015 and 2016. Tobias Harris, Maurice Harkless as two examples of rookie deal guys and Batum as an example of a young 3rd contract FA (27 in 2016) off the top of my head.

But the reality is forget 2014 if you want GV, PP, and KL back. Personally, I do. They were huge parts of a 48 win team and if you're trying to build on what you have, you can't be losing pieces for other pieces that are unknown and expensive. By waiting 1 more year you keep what you have (KL, DD, TR, JV, PP, GV, 2014 picks, 2015 pick, cheap 2014 FA signing, resign Amir) and have more than likely have enough cap space to throw around a max contract.

[Bonus Jonas]

Deng is a terrific defender and has the ability to score from the 3 position. He is a great player and a great teammate as well, from all accounts. He would fit in well on the Raptors. However, Luol Deng is going to be a highly coveted free agent this summer, and will likely be receiving a large contract, one which the Raptors will not likely be willing to give in order to entice him to come to Toronto.

Deng can't shoot consistently from 3 any better than derozan can. You're sacrificing the best shooter in your starting line up, Ross for someone that shot 33% from 3 last year. Putting in Deng is exactly like having Rudy Gay but better defense and less shots from the 3. The spacing is terrible and it's an inefficient team.

[thead]

I think Deng will do just fine here. He doesn't have to play 40 minutes a night and wont carry the offensive burden here. He is not overrated defensively. He is a great team player and individual defender. The only way we can get him though will be a sign and trade if my math skills hold up.

I'd do 3 years 33 million 3rd year team option and going 12,11,10