Luol Deng, who is in Houston training for the London Olympics with team Great Britain, opened up to ESPN Chicago about the rumors swirling around that the Bulls are interested in trading him:

“I believe there is always to some extent truth behind rumors…If it’s not true, a GM could always come out and say it’s not true. But if a GM doesn’t come out and say it, there are probably talks. And there should be. If I was a GM I would be shopping players around too…As much as I want to stay on the team — I love Chicago, I love the Bulls — at the same time, I know the business part of it. Sooner or later, all the rumors are going to come up.”

Deng also understands that the Bulls are not overjoyed with his choice to participate in the Olympics with a torn ligament in his wrist that most likely needs surgery and will force him to miss the first chunk of the 2012-2013 season, saying:

“I wouldn’t want me to play (in the Olympics) either. Pax is an athlete and, as an athlete who used to play, Pax understands me wanting to play. But as a GM that’s his job to try and get the team healthy and get the team ready for next year. I understand both sides to it.

Deng does not believe the Bulls are throwing his name into trade talks as a response to the Olympics, but will now play the waiting game with a team that has many big decisions to make this off-season.