The Chicago Bulls are in the process of finalizing a trade that will send small forward Mike Dunleavy to the Cleveland Cavaliers, league sources told The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Cleveland will use part of Anderson Varejao's $9.6-million trade exception to take on Dunleavy's $4.8-million contract, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
This move stems from All-Star guard Dwyane Wade's reported commitment to sign with the Bulls. In order to free up the necessary cap space to sign him to a reported two-year, $48-million contract, Chicago needed to shed some salary, with Dunleavy being a casualty of his arrival.
Four-time league Most Valuable Player LeBron James reportedly courted Dunleavy for the Cavaliers last season when he was a free agent, according to the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson. Dunleavy wound up signing a three-year, $14.4-million contract to remain in the Windy City.
Over the course of 176 games with the Bulls, Dunleavy averaged 9.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, shooting 42.9 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from behind the arc.
He played in just 31 games during the 2015-16 campaign due to a back injury.
The Bulls have also sent guard Jose Calderon to the Los Angeles Lakers to make room for Wade.
