The 2004 NBA Draft was a boon for the Bulls. Not only did they get Ben Gordon with the No. 3 pick, but they also made a trade with the Phoenix Suns to acquire the No. 7 pick, Luol Deng, out of Duke. Deng rounded out the Baby Bulls’ core trio along with Gordon and Kirk Hinrich.
Deng joined Gordon on the 2004-05 All-Rookie first team as the Bulls returned to the postseason for the first time since Michael Jordan’s second retirement. The 6-foot-9 forward had his best scoring season in 2006-07 when he put up 18.8 points per game on nearly 52 percent shooting. He went on to notch 22.2 points per game on 52.4 percent shooting in the 2007 playoffs when the Bulls swept the Miami Heat before losing in six games to the Detroit Pistons.
Deng was involved in rumors of a Kobe Bryant trade after that season, but no deal came to fruition and the forward remained with the Bulls for years to come. While injuries cost him chunks of the following three seasons, Deng became an iron man of sorts when Tom Thibodeau came to Chicago.
Deng played in all 82 games and racked up 39.1 minutes per contest during the Bulls’ magical 62-win 2010-11 campaign, a year that saw them reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1998. He then led the league in minutes per game the next two years and earned his only two All-Star nods in those seasons.
Deng had some health-related controversies at the tail end of his Bulls career involving a botched spinal tap and a wrist injury, and ultimately he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in early 2014 for a return that amounted to almost nothing.
However, Deng’s Bulls career should be remembered fondly. While he had his shortcomings, he was a steady offensive force and a terrific defender. He played his heart out and was a quiet, revered leader in the locker room.
After nine-plus years in Chicago, Deng’s 10,286 points with the franchise place him only behind Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Bob Love. Deng also ranks in the top-10 in numerous other categories.