Great Britain forward Luol Deng completes his move to the Miami Heat as a free agent
Last Updated: 16/07/14 1:42pm
Great Britain forward Luol Deng has completed his move to the Miami Heat as a free agent.
Deng, who featured for Team GB at the London Olympics in 2012, has spent 10 years playing in the NBA.
He joins the Heat following spells with the Chicago Bulls and recently at the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 29-year-old's move follows hot on the heels of LeBron James leaving the Heat to return to the Cavaliers last week.
"Luol Deng is one of the most important free agent signings that we have ever had in the history of the franchise," Heat president Pat Riley said.
"He is a proven All-Star and quintessential team player, both as a scorer, as well as an All-NBA defender.
“He brings the attitude of a warrior and competes every single night against the very, very best. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Heat family."
Meanwhile, guard Dwyane Wade has re-signed with the Heat and will join Deng in Miami.
Deng is missing from Great Britain's squad for this weekend's friendlies against Latvia, but British Basketball remain hopeful the NBA star could figure in this summer's EuroBasket qualifiers.
Deng was absent from a 17-man group named by coach Joe Prunty on Wednesday, meaning none of the NBA players included in the provisional 22-man group last month have made the final list.
But while Joel Freeland and Byron Mullens have been ruled out for the summer, talks are continuing with Deng.
Freeland has chosen to focus on playing for the Portland Trail Blazers' summer league team, while Mullens, a free agent after leaving the Philadelphia 76ers, is seeking a new employer.
