Chicago Bulls: Grading The Offseason

Apr 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) celebrates with teammates Jimmy Butler (21) and Mike Dunleavy (34) as they enter a timeout against the Milwaukee Bucks during the fourth quarter in game one of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 25, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy (34) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

The Return Of Mike’s Hard Lemonade

I’m still waiting for my Mike’s Hard Lemonade nickname for Mike Dunleavy Jr. to stick (because of his sweet shooting stroke and the little extra kick that comes with his hidden mean streak), but perhaps it’ll catch on over his next three seasons in Chicago.

With an extremely team-friendly three-year, $14.4 million deal, the Bulls locked in their starting small forward and made sure to bring back his 40.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Plus, who else is going to get away with secretly dirty plays that wind up getting opponents ejected from playoff games when they retaliate?

Dunleavy is already 34 years old, but he’s been a great fit in Chicago over the last two seasons and paying less than $5 million a season for his services is an extremely manageable proposition. After all, the Bulls were 16-5 last season with the team’s preferred starting lineup of Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Mike Dunleavy, Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah available.

Grade: A-

Next: Bringing Butler Back

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