Cleveland Paid Bynum's Contract and Draft Capital for Luol Deng
On January 6, 2014, Cleveland acquired two-time All-Star Luol Deng from Chicago for center Andrew Bynum and multiple draft considerations. The return included a protected first-round selection originally associated with Sacramento, second-round choices later linked to Sir'Dominic Pointer in 2015, Paul Zipser in 2016 and Jordan Bell in 2017, and a conditional 2015 first-round swap that was never exercised. The protected first itself did not convey as a normal first and ultimately resolved through second-round terms. Chicago was reducing payroll and obtaining draft options rather than expecting Bynum to become a Bulls starter. Cleveland wanted an established two-way wing to help a developing team reach the playoffs. Keeping the many distinct pick conditions is essential to understanding the true cost of a veteran rental.
Deng Supplied Forty Cavaliers Starts Without a Playoff Berth
Deng appeared in 40 Cleveland regular-season games after the trade and started all of them, averaging 14.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Those were substantial wing contributions, but Cleveland still missed the 2014 playoffs. Deng signed with Miami later that summer, meaning Cleveland obtained only one partial season rather than a long-term cornerstone. The Cavaliers B inherited grade can be justified by forty starts and a genuine upgrade from their weaker wing options, but it must be weighed against the multiple future rights given up. His earlier Chicago All-Star seasons and subsequent Miami career cannot be double counted as Cleveland trade value. The team later added LeBron James and changed course, decisions separate from the January Deng experiment.
Chicago Waived Bynum and Gained Asset Flexibility
The Bulls waived Bynum on January 7, 2014, one day after the trade, using the transaction to avoid keeping an injured big man's full contract. Chicago did not gain any Bynum regular-season game production from this deal. The financial flexibility and draft-right package were the direct returns. The first-round protection was complex and some expected swaps or high selections never came through, so the draft haul should not be presented as multiple guaranteed lottery players. Nevertheless, actual second-round rights including those associated with Zipser and Bell eventually existed, though rights and later NBA playing teams had separate chains. Chicago's inherited C+ grade reflects a modest return relative to the All-Star wing it gave up. The Cavaliers Win verdict emphasizes Deng's immediate availability, while Chicago prioritized future roster management and cap savings.
Final Verdict
Cavaliers Win in the inherited B versus Chicago C+ verdict. Cleveland obtained Luol Deng for 40 starts at 14.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists but missed the playoffs and lost him in free agency. Chicago waived Andrew Bynum the next day and retained protected first-round, second-round and conditional swap considerations with different future outcomes.