Fan Reaction: Chicago Bulls Trade Deng To Cavaliers For Financial Flexibility and Draft Picks

CHICAGO, IL.  After weeks of speculation, the Chicago Bulls front office finally pulled the trigger on a deal that signaled the beginning of their nine month blueprint for the team following another season-ending knee injury to MVP Point Guard Derrick Rose.

The deal sent All-Star Forward Luol Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Andrew Bynum and three draft picks.

Deng had been averaging 19.0 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 3.7 APG in his 10th season with the Bulls.

The loss of Deng was an unfortunate consequence of the loss of Derrick Rose for the season and along with him, the Bulls' championship aspirations. With their title hopes diminished, the Chicago Bulls' front office needed to focus on the team's financial situation. The luxury tax was a price worth paying for an NBA Championship contender but not merely a playoff team.

The Cavs' Bynum has a team friendly contract that allowed the Chicago Bulls to save $20M in a bid to sneak below the luxury tax threshold and avoid the severe penalties, such as the onerous repeater luxury tax, instituted in the last collective bargaining agreement. Immediately after the trade, the Bulls finalized paperwork to waive the maligned Bynum.

In addition, the Bulls acquired 3 draft picks in the deal, including two future second round picks and a Top 12-protected, 2014 1st round pick belonging to the Sacramento Kings. The Kings' pick will potentially give the Bulls three first round picks in this summer's loaded NBA Draft.

Fan reaction nationwide to the trade was that it was a win-win, however fan sentiment in Chicago was that the team lost a great player but an even better man.

The Man From Sudan was a true humanitarian and ambassador for the Bulls and the NBA who spent every off-season doing charitable works, often in his home country.

On the court, Deng was a model teammate and the epitome of a coachable talent. He was a favorite of Coach Thibodeau, and because of his commitment to defense, Deng is one of the best two way players in the NBA today.

The move signals that the Chicago Bulls will most likely pursue a talent upgrade through this summer's NBA Draft, one of the deepest and most talented in years.

What are your thoughts on the Luol Deng trade? Do you think it will make the Chicago Bulls better or worse in the long term? Please enter your opinion in the comments below!