NBA Trade Rumors 2014 Update: Chicago Bulls Will Not Trade Luol Deng, But Veteran Says He Is Ready To Be Dealt

The Chicago Bulls have been slowed down by injuries to key players this season, but the perennial Eastern Conference contender have no plans to surrender their title hopes this year.

Previous reports suggested that the Bulls are preparing to tinker with their roster before the trade deadline this season, knowing that they are unlikely to go deep into the playoffs this year.

One of the constant rumors surrounding the Bulls is the trade talks about Luol Deng, but the Bulls are reportedly determined not to trade the 28-year-old forward according to ESPN.

The Bulls and Deng failed to reach a contract extension deal before the 2013-14 NBA season started, fueling speculations that the Bulls will eventually trade him before the deadline.

But despite their recent struggles, the Bulls are allegedly planning to re-sign Deng next summer. The development could mean that the Bulls will likely trade other players before the deadline if they remain firm on their stance of staying away from huge luxury tax bills.

On Wednesday, Deng talked about the trade rumors surrounding him in the past few weeks. Multiple teams reportedly inquired about Deng, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, who allegedly offered sophomore guard Dion Waiters in a possible trade.

While the All-Star forward is very vocal about his desire to stay and end his career in Chicago, Deng told the Chicago Sun-Times that he is ready for any possibility  before the deadline, saying that his 10-year experience in the league made him mature enough to accept the business side of the NBA.

"Maybe some guys dwell on that or would be bothered by it, but, honestly, I really don't care," Deng said when asked about the possibility of being dealt before the deadline. "I know that I want to be here. I've always wanted to be here. But I'm mature enough to understand that I can't worry about things I can't control. If I wake up tomorrow, they call me and they tell me otherwise, then that's what it is. I can't control that. That's their job, and they've got to do their job."

Deng, who is playing in the final year of his contract--which will net him $14 million this season--is averaging 19.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.