Dunleavy makes Cavs’ bench stronger

Mike Dunleavy, a sharpshooting 6-foot-9 forward acquired in the offseason, was almost a Cavalier three years ago.

Now the 36-year-old veteran nearing the end of his career gives the defending NBA champs depth off the bench. He looked comfortable after practice on Sept. 29 as though he had been on the practice courts in Independence for years instead of just three days.

“I’m getting my feet wet,” Dunleavy said. “It’s a veteran group of guys. As far as all the new stuff and terminology, I’ve seen it all before. I’ve played against these guys a bunch. Right now the transition is going well.”

Dunleavy, in his 15th year, has played for the Warriors, Pacers, Bucks and Bulls in a career that began in 2003.

Dunleavy thought about signing with the Cavs in 2013, but that was before LeBron James returned to Cleveland and when the Cavaliers were one of the worst teams in the league. The Cavs finished 2012-13 at 2458; only the Hornets (21-61) and Magic (20-62) finished with worse records.

This time around Dunleavy had no choice. Dwyane Cavaliers forward Mike Dunleavy poses during media day on Sept. 26 in Independence.

Wade signed with Chicago in free agency, and that meant the Bulls had to shed some salary. Dunleavy suspected he would be the one to go.

“I found out D-Wade was going to Chicago so at that point I knew I was going to have to get traded,” Dunleavy said. “Things were up

in the air for a couple hours. I really didn’t know where I was going. I finally got a call from the Bulls telling me I was coming to Cleveland. It couldn’t have worked out better for me in terms of what I’m looking for at this stage of my career. I’m looking forward to rock and rollin’ this year.”

Back surgery restricted Dunleavy to playing only 31 games for the Bulls last year. He started 30 and averaged 7.2 points in 22.7 minutes a game. It was his lowest production since averaging 5.7 points in 15.9 minutes as a rookie. He said he is fine, now.

This training camp is about figuring out where Dunleavy fits on the depth chart. He is a finesse player who can play shooting guard or small forward. He is not a scrappy point guard to replace Matthew Dellavedova, who signed with the Bucks in free agency. Nor is he the inside force to replace Timofey Mosgov, who signed with the Lakers in free agency.

“He’s going be a great spot-up shooter, being the player he’s always been,” Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said. “Roles are going to change during the course of the season, just like they did for us last season.

“He’s a veteran guy that can pass the basketball and shoot the basketball. He’ll get open shots on the floor with LeBron, Kyrie (Irving) and Kevin (Love).”

Dunleavy has a career average of 11.5 points a game. He is a lifetime 37.6 percent shooter from behind the arc while averaging 3.6 3-point attempts a game.

RON SCHWANE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS