Mike Dunleavy Signing Is Huge for the Chicago Bulls
By Paul Steeno
According to multiple sources, Mike Dunleavy has verbally agreed to a three-year $14 million contract from the Chicago Bulls. Dunleavy is the third Bull of the summer to re-sign with his former team, as Kirk Hinrich exercised his player option earlier in the week while Jimmy Butler accepted the Bulls max contract offer. As the Chicago Bulls continue to lock up the core of their team, the Mike Dunleavy signing becomes an important step in the Bulls effort to win a championship next season. In fact, Dunleavy may be the most undervalued player on this Chicago Bulls team.
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He can officially sign with the Chicago Bulls on July 9.
Dunleavy is a 13-year NBA veteran who has spent the last two seasons with the Chicago Bulls. Last season, Dunleavy averaged 9.4 points per game on 46.8 percent from the field including 40.7 percent from behind the three-point line. Dunleavy said that he is excited to continue his NBA career in Chicago.
"I’m thrilled to be back. It’s a really fair deal. I’m looking forward to playing for (new coach Fred Hoiberg) and love our team. —-Quote obtained by Marc Stein and Jeff Goodman of ESPN"
Dunleavy, who was an unrestricted free agent this season prior to the verbal agreement with the Chicago Bulls, had garnered some attention from other NBA teams. ESPN writer Marc Stein reported on Tuesday that the Cleveland Cavaliers had expressed interest in signing Dunleavy. Cavaliers superstar forward LeBron James was one of the most adamant proponents within the Cavaliers organization for signing Dunleavy.
The Dunleavy signing is a big deal because he is an important piece that can help this team win moving forward.
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There is a glaring discrepancy between the Bulls’ record when Dunleavy is in the lineup versus when he isn’t playing.
Last season, Mike Dunleavy jammed his ankle in a New Years Day game against the Denver Nuggets. Although initially deemed minor, he received an MRI on Saturday January 3 and ended up missing 19 games due to the ankle injury. The Bulls struggled during this stretch without their best three-point shooter.
The Chicago Bulls went 9-10 in this 19 game stretch without Dunleavy. This rough patch included losses to the Utah Jazz, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers. The Chicago Bulls went 41-22 during the regular season in games in which Dunleavy was in the lineup.
Dunleavy’s value resides in his ability to space the floor and give open driving opportunities to both Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose. With both players remaining with the Bulls next season, Dunleavy’s ability to draw the attention of defenders will be an important factor in giving Butler and Rose favorable matchups and open shot attempts.
May 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy (34) is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the second half of game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center. Cleveland won 86-84. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dunleavy may be even more productive next season because of the addition of Fred Hoiberg as the new head coach of the Chicago Bulls.
Dunleavy admitted that part of the reason for his excitement in returning to Chicago is getting the opportunity to play for Hoiberg. Dunleavy may not only benefit from Hoiberg’s new system, but also experience a career resurrection similar to that of Pau Gasol in a system catered towards three-point shooters.
College basketball expert Randy Sherman believes that all the Bulls three-point shooters will benefit under Fred Hoiberg’s offensive system.
"I read that 40 percent of Iowa State’s offense comes off three-point attempts, yet still shot 36.2 percent from deep. What does he do to create so many looks?Two main ways: His “fist” action uses screen the screener action where a shooter sets a cross screen for a post player and then receives a down screen for a shot. But the main way is spacing around pick-and-rolls. The penetration created by the pick-and-roll allows for kick-outs to open shooters. Hoiberg almost always has a shooter spaced on the weak side from the ball screen. (Off the cuff, I can see Tony Snell, Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic feasting in this kind of system. All three are capable three-point shooters on the catch-and-shoot, and Derrick Rose is great at getting the ball to the weak side shooter on the pick-and-roll.)—-Excerpt via Randy Sherman, Interview Conducted by Kelly Scaletta of Bleacher Report and Vantage Sports"
Dunleavy is a career 38 percent three-point shooter who has notched 1,212 three-point field goals in his 13-year NBA career. According to ESPN, 91 of the 107 three-point field goals that he made last season categorized as catch-and-shoot opportunities. Dunleavy led the Bulls in both made three-point field goals and successful catch-and-shoot three-pointers. Perhaps, Hoiberg’s emphasis on screening to free three-point shooters will benefit Dunleavy most of all.
Dunleavy is also valuable to this organization because of the veteran leadership and know-how that he brings to the table. This is especially important for this organization. The Bulls have three young players under the age of 24–Tony Snell, Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic–who have the potential to become great three-point shooters. Snell and McDermott essentially play the same position as he does. Dunleavy’s presence on this roster as a mentor could be a crucial ingredient in the development of these players.
The Chicago Bulls offseason strategy was maintaining the status quo. Barring an unforeseen circumstance, this roster will stay the same with the exception of a new face at the backup point guard position and the addition of rookie Bobby Portis. The Bulls front office clearly believes that Tom Thibodeau was the element holding the Bulls back all these years. Regardless of the truth in this thinking, this offseason approach remains solid because the Bulls retain a core group of players who have been playing together for a long time. As long as this core group of players remain in Chicago, the Bulls will be championship contenders.
Although he remains a role player on this team, the news on Wednesday that the Chicago Bulls re-signed Mike Dunleavy is a step in the right direction for this franchise to accomplish its goal of winning an NBA championship.
Next: Chicago Bulls Signing Jimmy Butler Secures Future of Team
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