Skip to main content

Report: Luol Deng won't commit to extension, unlikely to be traded

The Cavaliers acquired Luol Deng in a Jan. 7 trade. (David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 3-4 with Luol Deng in the lineup.  (David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)

Luol Deng has been the subject of NBA trade deadline rumors, but the Cavaliers forward is unlikely to be traded because he won't commit to a long-term extension with any team before becoming a free agent in July, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports.

According to the report, willing trade partners -- the Pacers, Mavericks and Pistons have been linked to Deng -- are likely to lose interest without some sign from Deng that he will sign an extension and not just be a late-season rental. Deng could be anticipating a free-agent deal worth $12 million to $13 million a year.

Cleveland, which acquired Deng for Andrew Bynum and draft picks last month, could offer him a five-year extension with annual raises. Deng, though, reportedly has not been happy with the Cavs' team culture.

From Yahoo! Sports:

Deng is determined to investigate free agency in July before making a decision to stay with Cleveland, sources said.

Cleveland has tried to get a sense of Deng's openness to re-signing this summer, and Deng has expressed a willingness to consider the possibility, league sources said. Deng has yet to play at a high level in Cleveland, where he's found a young team in flux, a significant contrast from the structure and stability of the Chicago Bulls.

Deng reportedly is high on the Lakers' and Mavs' lists of free-agent targets this summer, but Wojnarowski cites league sources who doubt the Lakers will commit the salary cap space required to woo him to L.A.

MANNIX: NBA trade deadline primer