Los Angeles Lakers forward Luol Deng are starting to headline a new trade rumor that is floating the news today. And he could be heading to the Minnesota Timberwolves who is showing good interest in him and would like to reunite him with coach Tom Thibodeau.
The Lakers, who is on the rise at the start of the regular season, are holding an 8-7 record and are currently tied for the 6th-7th spot with the Oklahoma City Thunder. And it seems that they don't need any changes on their current roster. However, rumors are spreading that Deng was being targeted by the Timberwolves to acquire.
According to YIBADA English, the Minnesota Timberwolves will try to pitch Luol Deng from the Los Angeles Lakers and make a reunion with coach Tom Thibodeau in the process. The struggling Timberwolves is moving to salvage their season while it is still early and adding a veteran player could be the answer.
Deng, who played for coach Thibs in the Chicago Bulls for 3 seasons, is currently averaging 6.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 15 games that he has played for the Lakers and it looks like coach Luke Walton is not maximizing his talent. And it makes sense that he bring his skills to the Timberwolves where coach Thibodeau can make good use of it.
The Timberwolves is said to be offering a package of Shabazz Muhammad and Gorgui Dieng to the Lakers and it looks that it is a viable option for them as per stated in the report. Deng and coach Thibs could duplicate what they have done during their days in Chicago where they led the Bulls to multiple playoff appearances with Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah.
On the separate report by Gamenguide, coach Thibodeau is exasperated with the current progress of the team and now looking for players that are familiar with his system that who could easily adapt to the team. Jimmy Butler, Luol Deng and Taj Gibson is in coach Thibs wish list but Deng could be an easy catch for them.
However, one roadblock is preventing this trade deal to happen. Deng just recently signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Lakers which means he can't be traded for such time this season. And though he is not productive early this season, coach Walton still believes that he is good offseason acquisition for being a veteran and professionalism that he brings to the team.
The trade deal between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves will not prosper base on Lakers' point of view of sticking with Luol Deng for the meantime and a trade rule that prohibits him to be traded.
