Luol Deng announces retirement after 15 NBA seasons

Luol Deng will retire from the NBA after 15 seasons, according to a press release from the Bulls. Deng signed with the team Thursday so he could announce his retirement with the organization where he had the most success.

Chicago waived Perrion Callandret to create room for the signing and is now down to 19 players on its training camp roster.

“We’re very fortunate and humbled that Luol has chosen to retire as a Chicago Bull,” said President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Reinsdorf. “He was a role model on and off the court during his nine-plus years in Chicago, and he gave everything he had to help us win. I want to thank Luol for not only what he accomplished on the court for the team, but also for the leadership he demonstrated through his philanthropic efforts.”

Deng spent 10 years with the Bulls after being selected with the seventh pick in the 2004 draft. He also spent time with the Cavaliers, Heat, Lakers and Timberwolves, averaging 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 902 career games.

He remained productive in Cleveland and Miami, but his career hit a roadblock after signing a four-year, $72M contract with the Lakers in 2016. He played just one game during the second season of that deal and was waived during the following offseason.

Deng ended his career last season in Minnesota, averaging 7.1 points and 2.4 rebounds in 22 games.