Mike Dunleavy Is The Most Underrated Acquisition

Mike Dunleavy was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a deal that allows the Chicago Bulls to sign Dwyane Wade, but the Cavs are the real benefactors.

Mike Dunleavy was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers as a salary dump for the Chicago Bulls in order to make room to sign Dwyane Wade. This will go down as one of the most underrated transactions of the summer.

The Cavs used part of Anderson Varejao’s $9.6 million trade exception to acquire Dunleavy, who is owed $4.8 million next season, according to The Vertical‘s Bobby Marks. So what did the Cavs actually give up to acquire Dunleavy? Nothing, essentially.

While teams are throwing a lot of money at free agents, the Cavaliers just acquired a veteran sharpshooter for nothing. It’s really an invaluable move considering the Cavs had $3.47 million in salary cap space to deal with.

Dunleavy, 35, is a veteran sharpshooter that has playoff experience. He has made four playoff appearances in the last six seasons, and he has been an efficient shooter during that time.

In 36 career playoff games, Dunleavy has a shooting line of .482/.454/.826. He averages 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while playing 27.5 minutes per game during the playoffs.

Dunleavy is just as good during the regular season. He averages 11.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in 933 career games. His shooting has been consistent, too. He has a career shooting line of .441/.376/.803.

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Dunleavy is 6-foot-9 and has the ability to guard either wing position. What he lacks in quickness he makes up for in size, though he isn’t the most physical defender. He also has the potential to play as a small-ball power forward, which is the new rage these days thanks to the Golden State Warriors and their “Death Lineup”.

Cleveland can bring Dunleavy off the bench as a lethal sharpshooter, but he can also step into a starting role if the Cavs need him to. More than half (583) of his games played have been starts, and he has started 17 games in the playoffs. If an injury were to occur, Dunleavy wouldn’t be stepping into an unfamiliar territory.

Dunleavy’s versatility is going to be key, and so is his veteran leadership. Acquiring him for Varejao’s trade exception allows the Cavs to keep their cap space and target other veteran free agents to help their team.

Next: Bargain Bin Shopping: Realistic FA Targets For Cavs

Dunleavy should go down as the most underrated acquisition of the offseason, thanks to the Cavs giving up next-to-nothing for him. They now have the flexibility to target other veteran free agents to fill out their roster.

Thanks, Dwyane Wade, for allowing the Cavaliers to acquire a veteran piece that will definitely help the Cavs.

Mike Dunleavy Is The Most Underrated Acquisition This Summer

By Aaron Ferguson | Jul 7, 2016

Mike Dunleavy was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a deal that allows the Chicago Bulls to sign Dwyane Wade, but the Cavs are the real benefactors.

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