Mike Dunleavy

Dunleavy re-signed with the Bulls on a three-year deal over the summer. The veteran is entering his 14th season in the league and third with the Bulls. He played in 63 games last season as the starting small forward and averaged 9.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.3 blocks, and 1.7 three-pointers in 29 minutes per game. His percentages were solid as well as he shot 44 percent from the field, 81 percent from the free-throw line, and 41 percent from behind the arc. Although Dunleavy provided valuable leadership and long-range shooting for the Bulls, his 9.4 points-per-game were the second-lowest average of his career behind only his rookie season. Dunleavy started for two seasons under former coach Tom Thibodeau, but it's possible new coach Fred Hoiberg shuffles up the starting lineup and could bring Dunleavy off the bench. His fantasy value is largely built on his ability to make three-pointers, something that might not be impacted too much considering he didn't play heavy minutes last season even as a starter.

Dunleavy began the 2013-14 season as the backup to Luol Deng before Deng was traded to the Cavaliers mid-season. The move gave the veteran forward ample playing time as one of the Bulls' only true outside scoring threats. Dunleavy is entering his 13th season in the NBA and his second with Chicago. Last season, Dunleavy finished with averages of 11.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks in 32 minutes per game while playing in all 82 contests. Dunleavy isn't a lock to hang onto the small forward position this season, with rookie Doug McDermott set to challenge the veteran for a shot at a starting spot. Rust wasn't so much an issue for Dunleavy despite his age, but coach Tom Thibodeau may not want to throw the 34-year-old out for 30 minutes per night again with other options on his bench. And if McDermott does in fact wrestle away the starting job, they'll likely split time at the three. Regardless, Dunleavy's value really rests on his shooting stroke, which was on full display in the postseason, most notably in the first round against the Wizards, when his 35-point, eight-three-pointer performance almost single-handedly prevented the Bulls from facing a 3-0 series deficit. With the addition of a few important, new pieces, it's difficult to project exactly how Thibodeau will use Dunleavy this season. Regardless, though, he can serve as a three-point specialist in head-to-head leagues that place an emphasis on outside shooting.

Dunleavy began the 2013-14 season as the backup to Luol Deng before Deng was traded to the Cavaliers mid-season. The move gave the veteran forward ample playing time as one of the Bulls' only true outside scoring threats. Dunleavy is entering his 13th season in the NBA and his second with Chicago. Last season, Dunleavy finished with averages of 11.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks in 32 minutes per game while playing in all 82 contests. Dunleavy isn't a lock to hang onto the small forward position this season, with rookie Doug McDermott set to challenge the veteran for a shot at a starting spot. Rust wasn't so much an issue for Dunleavy despite his age, but coach Tom Thibodeau may not want to throw the 34-year-old out for 30 minutes per night again with other options on his bench. And if McDermott does in fact wrestle away the starting job, they'll likely split time at the three. Regardless, Dunleavy's value really rests on his shooting stroke, which was on full display in the postseason, most notably in the first round against the Wizards, when his 35-point, eight-three-pointer performance almost single-handedly prevented the Bulls from facing a 3-0 series deficit. With the addition of a few important, new pieces, it's difficult to project exactly how Thibodeau will use Dunleavy this season. Regardless, though, he can serve as a three-point specialist in head-to-head leagues that place an emphasis on outside shooting.

Dunleavy does not do much besides shoot from the perimeter these days, but that did not prevent him from shooting 47.4 percent from the field last season - the second best mark of his career. Dunleavy will come off the bench this season, but he still figures to see regular minutes on a Bucks team that lacks many consistent scorers. He averaged 1.5 three-pointers per game last season and should be good for a similar mark if he can shoot as well as he did last season.

After spending the last five seasons with the Pacers, Dunleavy signed a two-year contract with the Bucks in December. Dunleavy’s 11.2 ppg average last season was his second lowest since his rookie season, but he shot a respectable 46.2 percent from the field and made 102 three-pointers. Carlos Delfino will likely open the season as the starting small forward, but he and Dunleavy should share the minutes. Still, given that Dunleavy will not play much more than the 27 minutes per game he averaged last season, he is unlikely to help much outside of long-range shooting.

Dunleavy likely qualifies as one of the few players to have his breakout season after leaving the run-and-shoot Warriors. Despite three solid years of playing more than 30 minutes per game, Dunleavy never averaged more than 14 points, 1.5 threes, or 3.0 assists per game by the Bay. In 2007-08, as a 27-year-old in his first full season with the Pacers, he shattered all those marks, posting 19.1 points, 2.0 threes, and 3.5 assists – all while maintaining good percentages. Unfortunately, a problematic knee has seriously curtailed his court time, limiting Dunleavy to 18 games in 2008-09 and 67 underwhelming games last season. When he played last season, it was only for 22.2 minutes per game, with per-minute averages closer to his Golden State years. Reports out of Indiana suggest that the Pacers would like to move Dunleavy. Until he's back over the 30-minute threshold, however, he's likely not rosterable.

Dunleavy is one of the trickiest players to project this season. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery back in March, and at that time it was revealed that he had a bone spur without much tendon damage, giving cause for some hope for an early return. Unfortunately, he had a Grade 2 ligament strain behind his knee at the onset of training camp and will miss all of training camp. Right now a December return is about the best-case scenario. When he ultimately returns, his minutes could be limited some and he's no longer the first option in the offense.

Dunleavy exploded in a major way last season, setting new career-highs in every offensive category and establishing himself as one of the better second-tier wings in the NBA. The offense-centric approach of Pacers head coach Jim O’Brien makes Dunleavy’s size (6-9, 230) and ball-handling ability a mismatch for opposing shooting guards, as he’s able to shoot over or post up the majority of them. At the other end, since the Pacers don’t play much defense (105.4 ppg allowed) Dunleavy’s lack of foot speed doesn’t prevent him from getting minutes (career-high 36 mpg). Dunleavy averaged two 3-pointers per game last year, and in the O’Brien offense he should remain near the top of the league in that department. And Dunleavy also played all 82 games for the second straight season, which makes him a reliable player to build around. With T.J. Ford now in the fold Dunleavy won’t have to initiate the Pacers’ offense as much this season, but he should also be a beneficiary of a smoother team attack that gets him better shots and thus makes him a more efficient finisher.

Dunleavy is a hard player to project this year. He fell out of favor in Golden State because of his defensive shortcomings, something that could hurt him with new coach Jim O'Brien in Indiana. On the flip side, he's perfectly suited to O'Brien's offensive philosophy, averaging nearly 86 three-pointers per season over the last four years. When the Pacers go small, his lack of speed on defense won't be as big of an albatross, but he may have to cede time to Marquis Daniels when the Pacers have their big lineup, in order to have someone who can chase the opponent's shooting guard around.

Dunleavy took a step back last year as his points per game (11.5), rebounds per game (4.9), field goal percentage (40.6%) and 3-point percentage (28.5%) were all worse than his 2005 numbers that netted him a 5 year, $44 million contract. He never seemed to get comfortable in the Warriors offense and eventually lost his starting job to Mickael Pietrus. Dunleavy will have another opportunity to prove himself this year as Don Nelson has already called him a “natural power forward” and plans to use him extensively in his small ball lineup. Dunleavy has the potential to be a jack of all trades player, helping a team in points, threes, boards and assists and could be worth taking a flyer on in the latter rounds of your draft.

Memorize Dunleavy's 2004-05 line. But for the treys, it's almost exactly replacement level for most fantasy leagues. Toss in the threes, and Dunleavy puts himself over the hump. With the additions of Baron Davis and draft pick Ike Diogu, this is a team on the move with likely a more wide open offense that may give Dunleavy better chances. In fact, once Davis came over from New Orleans, Dunleavy's shooting percentage shot up, indicating a possible flourish as teams focus their defenses elsewhere. He's not the passing genius or floor leader they hoped for when Golden State drafted him, but with those qualities acquired elsewhere, he can take his place as a solid role player with a strong outside shot.

Part of general manager Chris Mullin’s disagreement with last year’s coach Eric Musselman was over the coach’s handling of Dunleavy. The former Blue Devil will be given the opportunity to play a lot of minutes and handle the ball. He’s strictly going to be a small forward this season and is capable of directing the offense from there, so he may give you some assists. He’s still got a ways to go before fulfilling the promise of a No. 3 overall pick, but he’s in a position to produce.

Dunleavy's playing time doubled to 31.1 mpg last season, but he's still not producing like a third overall draft pick. There's a sense that he'll be more comfortable now that coach Eric Musselman is not around. Dunleavy's role and usage was an issue between Muesslman and general manager Chris Mullin. There will be a commitment to his development this season, so expect Dunleavy to see a lot of playing time. He'll play exclusively at small forward and will be the team's primary three-point option and can distribute the ball as a point-forward.