The Cleveland Cavaliers tried to move Luol Deng before the 2014 NBA trade deadline but they failed to get an attractive offer, leaving them in danger of losing the veteran forward for nothing this summer.
Deng, who was acquired by the Cavaliers in a trade with the Chicago Bulls last month, will become an unrestricted free agent after the current season.
Sources said that Deng, who previously said that he is willing to sign an extension with the Cavaliers, is now leaning towards leaving Cleveland this summer due to his disappointment over the ongoing turmoil inside the Cavs's locker room over the past few weeks.
Deng, who is averaging 17.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season, is expected to become one of the most coveted free agents this summer, especially if superstar LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony decide to stay with the Miami Heat and New York Knicks, respectively.
"We're surprised the Cavs did not move Luol Deng. He'll be gone on July 1, no later than a minute past midnight, and despite an Achilles injury that prevents him from practicing on most days, he'll be high on everyone's free-agent list," New York Daily News insider Mitch Lawrence reported.
According to reports, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics - two proud franchises who are both struggling this season - are among the teams who will make a strong push to sign Deng in the offseason.
The Cavaliers are still in the mix to secure Deng in the long run, but sources added that Deng is not too high about the future of the Cavs, which is centered around Kyrie Irving and troublesome backcourt partner Dion Waiters.
"The Mavs, Lakers, Celtics, Magic and Charlotte are all interested. Why not stay in Cleveland? Kyrie Irving doesn't make players around him better and Dion Waiters is a me-first player," Lawrence added.
The Lakers, who are currently at the cellar of the Western Conference standings with their 19-37 record, will have a lot of salary-cap room to make a run at Deng in the offseason.
Previous rumors indicated that the Lakers will also try to sign Anthony in the offseason, but are also willing to settle with Deng if the Knicks superstar decides to stay in Los Angeles.
