Cleveland Cavaliers: 2016 Offseason Grades
Dunleavy Deal
Remember that $4.8 million exception? When the Bulls tried to clear room for Wade and needed trade partners to dump Jose Calderon and Mike Dunleavy on, that exception came in handy for Cleveland.
In a deal with Chicago for Dunleavy and the rights to forward Vladimir Veremeenko, the Cavs only had to give up the rights to the newly acquired Albert Miralles. Veremeenko, who was originally drafted back in 2006 and is now 32, is a virtual throwaway, but Dunleavy can bolster Cleveland’s bench — provided he can stay healthy, of course.
Over his last six seasons, Dunleavy never shot worse than 38 percent from three-point range, often hovering right around (or above) the 40 percent mark. He’s a fiercer (and sometimes dirtier) competitor than you’d guess from his demeanor, making him a perfect pseudo-replacement for Delly.
Dunleavy (6-9, 220), a 14yr vet, spent last 3 seasons w/CHI, avg'd 7.2pts (.394 3ptFG) & 2.7reb last year; 11.5pt, 4.4reb & 2.3asst, career.
— Joe Gabriele (@CavsJoeG) July 8, 2016
Dunleavy can provide floor-spacing and spot-up accuracy for a team that thrived in those areas during its championship run. Dunleavy could thrive in an environment where he’ll get plenty of open looks, and even in his injury-plagued season last year, Dunleavy still converted 39.4 percent of his threes.
Unfortunately, that’s the real downside to this deal: Can the 35-year-old wing stay healthy in his 15th NBA season? Dunleavy has missed 51 games and 19 games over his last two seasons, and back injuries typically don’t just go away.
The Cavs didn’t use much of their bench during their title run, so even if Dunleavy fails to stay healthy, it’s not a huge loss. But if he’s able to come in and help determine the result of even one close playoff game, the Cavaliers can rest easy knowing they didn’t lose Delly for nothing.
Grade: B
Next: Jefferson Rejoins