Cavs and Bulls swap Andrew Bynum for Luol Deng

bynum-deng-trade

The Andrew Bynum era is done in Cleveland. Late Monday night, the Cleveland Cavs and Chicago Bulls executed a trade that will send Bynum to the Bulls along with a few draft picks. Bynum is expected to be waived before the 5:00 PM Tuesday deadline.

The Bulls are sending two-time All-Star Luol Deng to the Cavs for Andrew Bynum, three future draft picks and major salary savings.

The Cavs, looking to end a three-year playoff drought, are attempting to make a run by acquiring Deng to shore up the small forward position. They parlayed Bynum’s favorable contract into a piece to put next to young guards Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters.

…The Bulls, who are facing a lost season after a bevy of injuries, including a season-ending knee injury to Derrick Rose, are focusing on the upcoming draft and next season. Chicago plan to waive Bynum by 5 p.m. Tuesday and clear his $12.3 million salary off their books. That will enable the Bulls to get below the luxury tax threshold, which, combined with the savings from not having to pay Deng the balance of his $14.3 million salary, will save the team in more than $20 million.