Mike Dunleavy coming back to the Bulls on three-year deal

Share

The Bulls insisted they would get their business done quickly and their actions have backed that up, agreeing to terms with free agent Mike Dunleavy on a multiyear deal.

[REPORT: LeBron was interested in Cavs signing Mike Dunleavy]

Dunleavy agreed to a three-year deal worth $14.4 million, according to sources, to remain with the team he’s been with the past two years. Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported it first Wednesday morning.

Dunleavy’s scoring decreased last season from 11.3 points to 9.4 per game, but that was a product of Jimmy Butler’s emergence offensively and Dunleavy still feasted from 3-point land, shooting 40.7 percent, the second-highest mark in his career behind 2007-08 in Indiana.

A veteran player and voice of stability in the locker room through a sometimes-tumultuous season, Dunleavy was dependable on both ends of the floor and raised his efficiency when the playoffs began, shooting 48 percent and posting a offensive rating of 126 points per 100 possessions.

Dunleavy represents essentially a full return to form for the Bulls’ core with the notable addition of new coach Fred Hoiberg and the soon-to-be-35 year old is expected to thrive in the wide-open offense Hoiberg is expected to employ.

[ROTOWORLD: NBA Free Agency Live Blog]

Dunleavy’s presence will allow 2014 first-round draft pick Doug McDermott to grow at his own pace without having the pressure to be a starter next year, and the Bulls are also expected to have a decision from Butler Wednesday, their prized restricted free agent.

Dunleavy’s deal includes a partial guarantee for the third year and the Bulls, who’ll be in luxury tax territory, will use the midlevel exception in keeping the swingman.

Butler is mulling a four-year deal with an option for a fifth or taking the full five-year maximum contract similar to the one Spurs swingman Kawhi Leonard agreed to shortly after midnight.

Contact Us