Last season, Mike Dunleavy was key for the Bulls — they were 3.9 points per 100 possessions better when he was on the court because his shooting spaced the floor and opened up lanes for drives. He was going to be even a bigger part of Fred Hoiberg’s new Bulls’ offense because he could space the floor.
However, off-season back surgery turned out to be more challenging (and with more setbacks) than expected and he has yet to set foot on an NBA court this season.
That changes Saturday, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical at Yahoo Sports.com.Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. is set to make his season debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, league sources told The Vertical.
The plan for Dunleavy to play on Saturday is dependent on him not suffering any physical setbacks between now and then. Dunleavy will travel with the Bulls to Denver for Friday’s game against the Nuggets.The Bulls could just use the depth up front, with Joakim Noah and Nikola Mirotic out. But Dunleavy’s shooting — 40.7 percent from three last season — opens things up and is what Chicago needs on offense. Getting him back in the lineup will be a big boost as Chicago starts to make its playoff push.