Why the Chicago Bulls and Luol Deng Are Making a Mistake

Deng managed to play through the torn ligament in his left wrist for Great Britain in the Olympics, but as training camp approaches, everyone had to be wondering if he would be ready—and healthy—in time.

According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune,though, being ready in time for training camp won’t be a problem, as Deng has no plans to let his injury slow him down, and that includes surgery.

“Did I look like I needed (surgery)?” Deng said Monday evening. “I’m fine right now. I feel great. There are a lot of things I want to improve in my game that I want to focus on now. I want to be a better player than I was last year.

“I have time to make decisions and be healthy by the time we start (training camp).”

Well, that takes care of that then. Deng’s wrist injury clearly isn’t a problem.

Except that it is.

While Deng’s willingness to play through pain is admirable, it’s slightly naive at this point. Rose is gone, and while that implies Chicago needs its star small forward more than ever, Deng and the Bulls cannot neglect to acknowledge that they need him beyond this season as well.

With Deng on the floor, the Bulls always have a fighting chance, no matter who they’re playing. The type of two-way impact he has on a game is simply astounding, and he’s come along way from the marginal role player he was considered all but two or three years ago.

But by ignoring this injury, both Deng and Chicago are putting Deng’s future in jeopardy. Sure, he’s only 27, but if he damages his wrist further, the Bulls are looking at losing him for the entire season, all but ensuring they’ll miss the playoffs. And if they had plans to trade him next summer, suddenly his value is hindered by a nagging and improperly treated wrist injury.

Forgoing the opportunity to surgically repair his wrist now will have consequences. He very well could lead Chicago to a respectable record without Rose, but he could also blow out his wrist and render himself—as well as the Bulls—worse for wear than they would be if he would take his time to rehabilitate it.

And by that point, would any of it be worth it? Is jeopardizing Deng’s health really worth winning a few games for a season that simply isn’t going to be spent contending for a title?

Absolutely not. This is no time to be ignorant.Deng’s too important to Chicago’s immediate success and future picture; both he and the Bulls have to treat his wrist like Rose’s ACL—delicately.

And that involves making certain sacrifices, including going under knife.

Regardless of how much the “wins” column is affected in the interim.