Despite interest from teams around the league, free agent Luol Deng is largely expected to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves this week, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times.
The Timberwolves were the first team to stand in line after the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to a buyout with the veteran, as his former head coach in Tom Thibodeau didn't hesitate to reach out in hopes to reel him in.
Deng played only 13 minutes during the entire season, all in the season-opener — as the Lakers had plans to work on their youth, leaving the Sudanese international on the bench for the duration of 2017-18.
If signed, Thibodeau will be one Joakim Noah away from his original 2013-14 Chicago Bulls lineup, already having Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, and Derrick Rose under payroll.
The ties between Thibodeau and his former players seem to be quite strong, as no one has passed on the chance to rejoin their old coach in his new team out west.
Thibs possesses all the power as president of basketball operations and head coach of the team, with free range to make all the decisions when it comes to basketball personnel.
Some seem to think going retro is a really poor idea, for the exception of Butler who is still in his prime, but Deng could still have some juice left in his legs at 33 years old, only two years removed from a decent season with the Miami Heat, posting 12.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in 2015-16.
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