Chicago Bulls general manager Gar Forman has insisted that the franchise is looking towards the future after agreeing to trade Luol Deng.

The 28-year-old joins the Cleveland Cavaliers in return for three future draft picks and Andrew Bynum, although the centre is expected to be waived on Tuesday.

"The moves made today will put us in a better position to make the entire roster stronger for the future and to compete for a championship," he said, ESPN reports.

Chicago own the rights to Real Madrid forward Nikola Mirotic, and are expected to bring him to the NBA next season.