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08:40 PM ET 01.21 | When an injured Luol Deng exited Friday's matchup at Boston, it was clear that his void would have to be filled. Jimmy Butler did just that in the Chicago Bulls' latest back-to-back series. In the Bulls' overtime victory over the Boston Celtics, Butler had 13 points (4-5 FG, 1-2 3PT, 4-4 FT) and four rebounds in about 26 minutes of play. During the loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, he played nearly 48 minutes posting 18 points (5-13 FG), eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals in his first career start. Not only did he put up these impressive numbers, but he made key plays in both overtime periods of the back-to-back series, including some buckets and steals. Butler also did a nice job defending Memphis' Rudy Gay. Much of Butler's performance was due to the advice and confidence given to him by his mentor, Deng.

Jimmy Butler, AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

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January 22, 2013 04:35 AM ET

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I think it's wise to keep Deng for this playoff run and trade him in the off-season with the scrubs being Hinrich-Bellinelli and Hamilton.

Bukowski

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January 22, 2013 10:04 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:40 AM ET 01.22 by jgb

With that headline......I was expecting to see like 20+ points per, Those #s won't push Deng out

Right...this is not a Colin Kaepernick situation here

DR_Universal

Charlotte , NC

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January 22, 2013 10:09 AM ET

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Deng can come to Knicks or Cleveland :)

ClevelandGuy

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January 22, 2013 12:05 PM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 04:35 AM ET 01.22 by Bukowski

I think it's wise to keep Deng for this playoff run and trade him in the off-season with the scrubs being Hinrich-Bellinelli and Hamilton.

I think it's wiser to to start Deng and Butler and let Hamilton go......

Anyone really thinking that the Bulls are a better team without Deng really don't know basketball. And as far as trading Deng, why trade one of the best small forwards in the game....especially when he's only 27 years old?