Mike Dunleavy Injury Update: SF Recalled by Bulls to Active Roster

The Chicago Bulls announced on Wednesday they have recalled forward Mike Dunleavy from the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA D-League. 

Dunleavy was assigned to the D-League on Monday under the Flexible Assignment Rule after completing his recovery from back surgery that has kept him out of the entire 2015-16 season so far.   

His return to the frontcourt position will help with the Bulls' depth. They are currently without Nikola Mirotic, who is recovering from an appendectomy, per ESPN.com's Nick Friedell. And Joakim Noah is done for the season because of a shoulder injury.

Over the first 13 years of his career, Dunleavy has flip-flopped from starter to bench player with four teams. Yet in the first two years with the Bulls, Dunleavy started 124 of 145 games, averaging 10.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while adding a solid defensive presence on the wing.   

According to CSNChicago.com's Vincent Goodwill, getting Dunleavy back is "likely the finished product for this season and the franchise will regroup come July as the salary cap rises and the trade market could open up."

In fact, Goodwill wrote that the Bulls are treating the return of Dunleavy as though it is a "trade acquisition."

Depending on how hard Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg wants to push Dunleavy, he could very well insert him into the starting lineup. Tony Snell and Doug McDermott would relieve the 35-year-old when he's in need of a rest. 

McDermott was the usual backup for Mirotic and Snell, who were competing for starting honors throughout the season. It was a fairly young trio keeping the position afloat, as they are all 24 years old with a combined four full years of NBA experience.

Dunleavy's presence will be a nice addition for Chicago as it enters Wednesday night's game against the Sacramento Kings fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 26-21 record. Having another seasoned veteran to work in the frontcourt with Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson can only help the Bulls become more of a cohesive unit with April approaching. 

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.