Two days after officially being traded from the Cavaliers to the Hawks, Mike Dunleavy Jr. has yet to report to his new team, and has no plans to do so before Atlanta’s Tuesday game, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. As Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal Constitution notes, Dunleavy has until 4:00pm CT today to report to the Hawks.
A Sunday report indicated that Dunleavy is seeking a buyout from the Hawks, and Wojnarowski confirms that the veteran sharpshooter is looking to become a free agent and join a contender. Of course, Atlanta – currently 21-16 and in fourth place in the East – could be considered a contender, but the team has begun a retooling phase and isn’t viewed as a serious threat to make a run in the postseason.
According to Vivlamore, the Hawks and Dunleavy are working through several possible solutions, and it’s too early to know exactly how the situation will play out. Shortly after the trade with Cleveland was announced, head coach Mike Budenholzer expressed some excitement about getting Dunleavy into the mix in Atlanta, but previous reports had suggested the Hawks were seeking a third team to take on the 36-year-old. As such, the Hawks probably won’t be too upset if Dunleavy ultimately doesn’t see the floor for them.
If Dunleavy doesn’t report to the Hawks by today’s deadline, the team could technically void the trade, but that’s unlikely to happen — the 2019 first-round pick acquired from the Cavs is the key asset in the deal for the Hawks, so they won’t want to lose that pick. Atlanta could postpone the deadline for Dunleavy to report, or could opt to fine or suspend him. For now, it sounds like both sides are trying to resolve the situation amicably.
In 23 games for the Cavs this season, Dunleavy averaged career-worst marks in PPG (4.6) and FG% (.400). Still, entering this year, he had made more than 40% of his three-point attempts over the last six seasons, so he could still have some appeal to a contending club in need of outside shooting. Dunleavy’s current contract will pay him a guaranteed $4.84MM salary this season, with a partial guarantee of $1.66MM on his 2017/18 salary ($5.18MM).
The other player headed to the Hawks in the Kyle Korver trade – Mo Williams – also won’t be reporting to the team.
In what world does a 36 year old averaging 4, 2 & 1 get to demand where he plays? The hawks couldn’t even find a 3rd team to take him. What does Dunleavy think his value is?
Contender we have a 6 game winning streak we are first in our divison and 4th seed and maybe 3rd on Tuesday he just didnt want to leave the Cavs cause he is too afraid to play and show people he not what he use to be
Dunleavy has always been an a**hole, ask the Pacers.
He still sitting at his locker? I aint going nowhere, sun!
Wow, what a team player. What’s the going rate on a free agent that’s averaging 4 points a game and proven that he doesn’t care about being a team player?