Cleveland Took Mike Dunleavy for Two International Rights
On July 7, 2016, Chicago traded veteran forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. to Cleveland, receiving draft rights to Albert Miralles. The Cavaliers also obtained rights to Russian forward Vladimir Veremeenko from Chicago in the agreement. The Bulls were creating roster and salary flexibility after signing Dwyane Wade and adding Rajon Rondo that summer, while the defending champion Cavaliers wanted another experienced outside shooter. Dunleavy had established himself as a reliable veteran scoring wing across several NBA stops and could potentially stretch the floor around LeBron James. Both draft-rights assets came from international prospects who had not built NBA regular-season careers for their previous rights holders. The trade did not include a first-round pick, and those draft rights should not be mistaken for active NBA players joining Chicago in July.
Dunleavy Played a Brief Cleveland Stint Before Another Trade
Dunleavy appeared in 23 Cavaliers games in 2016-17, scoring 4.6 points per game in a limited reserve role. He was not a full-time Cleveland starter and did not remain with the franchise through its entire postseason campaign. In January 2017, Cleveland sent him to Atlanta as part of a separate trade for Kyle Korver. Thus Dunleavy’s later Hawks appearances do not belong to the original Cavaliers return, and Korver’s contribution must be evaluated as part of a different multi-asset transaction rather than assigned solely to the Bulls trade. Cleveland’s B+ inherited grade is generous for the initial short stint but may incorporate the veteran’s usefulness as a subsequent exchange asset. The clear direct court return from Chicago’s July transaction was twenty-three regular-season reserve appearances.
Chicago Received Rights Without Immediate NBA Games
Miralles was a Spanish big man originally selected in the second round years earlier. After the trade, he did not arrive in Chicago to contribute NBA regular-season minutes. The Bulls received draft-right optionality and reduced their commitment to a veteran forward while retooling their roster. Chicago’s C+ grade can recognize cap and roster flexibility, but the rights did not become a new immediate starting player. The Cavaliers Win verdict and higher B+ assessment are consistent with Cleveland at least using Dunleavy in games and later including him in another roster move, even if his on-court role fell short of the original hoped-for shooting specialist. Veremeenko’s international career cannot be credited as Cavaliers NBA points either. The transaction exemplifies NBA teams using historical draft rights to complete comparatively small salary-driven veteran moves.
Final Verdict
Cavaliers Win. Cleveland receives B+ for Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Vladimir Veremeenko rights; Dunleavy played 23 Cavaliers games at 4.6 points before being traded again. Chicago earns C+ for Albert Miralles rights and roster flexibility but received no incoming player who produced Bulls regular-season minutes.