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Cavs reportedly getting Mike Dunleavy Jr. as Bulls clear room for Dwyane Wade

Published Jul. 6, 2016 10:12 p.m. ET

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LeBron James didn't end up getting Dwyane Wade, but the Cleveland Cavs are getting something out of Wade's move to the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls are sending Mike Dunleavy Jr. to the Cavs to help clear room for Wade, The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday, just minutes after breaking the news that Wade would be leaving the Miami Heat.

Dunleavy, 35, spent three seasons with Chicago but was limited by injuries the past two. He played only 30 games last season, averaging a career-low 7.2 points — more than four below his career average.

However, if healthy, Dunleavy should be able to stretch the floor: He's shot 40.2 percent on 3's over the past six seasons. James has long wanted to play with the versatile forward, and now he has him.

That wasn't the only good news the Cavaliers got on Wednesday night. Veteran swingman Richard Jefferson announced that he will return to Cleveland on a two-year deal. Jefferson said after the Cavs won the title that he would call it a career, but the 36-year-old quickly changed his mind at the team's victory parade in downtown Cleveland and made it official on Wednesday night.

Jefferson played a critical role in the Cavaliers' run to the title, even starting some playoff games in place of Kevin Love when he was injured.

Dunleavy became available when Wade decided to leave Miami after 13 seasons to come home to the team he grew up idolizing. He agreed to terms on a two-year, $47.5 million contract, according to reports. The big payout forced the Bulls to scramble to move some salary from their books.

Dunleavy is under contract for $4.8 million next season. The Cavaliers can absorb his salary using a trade exception they received when they shipped Anderson Varejao out last season.

Getting Dunleavy helps bolster Cleveland's bench, a move that could be even more important after the Golden State Warriors, who squandered a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals against James and the Cavs, landed superstar Kevin Durant in free agency.

With four All-Stars and two MVPs on a team that won 73 regular season games last year, the Warriors look more imposing than ever.

The Cavaliers don't have huge money to throw around and land similar reinforcements, so getting Dunleavy for free from the Bulls is a key move that the team likely could not have anticipated even earlier in the week.

The Cavs will be Dunleavy's fifth team. He was drafted with the No. 3 pick in the 2002 draft by Cleveland's opponent in the past two NBA Finals: the Warriors.

In another move made by the Bulls to make way for Wade, point guard Jose Calderon is headed to the Lakers, Wojnarowski reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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