The Miami Heat could use small forward Luol Deng as their recruiting agent to attract incoming free-agent shooting guard Jimmy Butler, who has become an outstanding two-way player for the Chicago Bulls this season.
The 25-year old Butler is averaging career-high 21.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in his fourth season with the Bulls. Butler's improvement as an excellent offensive player along with his reputation as one of the finest perimeter defenders in the league has given him leverage to command a new contract worth at least $15M per season, according to NBA analysts.
According to sources, there are already several teams loading up to sign Butler to a lucrative contract. The Heat, who's having a rough time in their first season without LeBron James, is considered a potential contender to get Butler's service not only because of their ability to sign the young guard to a lucrative contract but they might also use Deng, who served as Butler's mentor in his first three years, to attract the budding star.
"It's crazy how everything works," Butler said of Deng in an interview with KC Johnson of Chicago Tribune. "Lu is the main one who always told me to be ready and keep working on my game and be confident.
"He told me I belonged here. Stuff like that goes a long way and that's stuff that everybody doesn't see and hear. Lu is a key part to me keeping my head into the game. He taught me a lot of the stuff I'm doing now. He always had confidence in me. I miss that guy."
Deng spent his first 10 seasons with the Bulls, before he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers midway into the 2013-14 NBA season. Last summer, he signed with the Heat to become its third wheel behind Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.
Deng has a player option to become a free-agent for next season, but many believed the former Duke standout would stick around and perhaps attract another outstanding free-agent (perhaps Butler).
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