Report: Deng To Explore Free Agency
(CBS) Any hope of locking up two-time All-Star Luol Deng before he hits free agency next summer went out the window when the forward's agent said his client will "certainly visit free agency."
Bulls management had previously informed Deng that extension talks would be put on hold until after the 2013-14 season.
"Luol has taken the position that he will definitely go through the free-agent process," said Herb Rudoy, Deng's Chicago-based agent.
The two sides had been engaged in extension talks, but the Bulls' decision to table those talks came as a shock to Rudoy.
"I was surprised," he said "I thought they would enter negotiations."
Deng is currently playing in the final year of a six-year, $71 million deal.