DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Mike Dunleavy Jr. admitted Wednesday that he turned down more money and security from other teams in order to sign with the Chicago Bulls and chase a championship ring alongside Derrick Rose.
"It was a big factor, obviously," Dunleavy said. "Because with him over the last two years, when healthy, they've had the best record in the league. It's kind of like the sky's the limit. I think it sounds like he's on pace to get back and be ready to go, and you add everybody else into the mix, I think we've got a good, deep team and we have high expectations for this season."
While Dunleavy did not speak to Rose personally during the recruiting process, he does feel confident that the former MVP will be ready to go once training camp begins in October.
"We have the same agent and all, so I was kind of kept up to date [with Rose's condition]," Dunleavy said. "It sounds like he's doing great and all. I didn't really talk to any players. Just kind of kept it with management and communicated that way. I think that's probably the way to go about it, and we came to an agreement."
The Bulls are confident the agreement -- worth $6 million over the next two years, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein -- will pay off, especially at the 3-point line. Dunleavy, who shot 42.8 percent from beyond the arc last season with the Milwaukee Bucks, fills a need that the Bulls lacked last season. They finished tied for 20th in the league with a 35.3 shooting percentage from 3-point range.
"I think as I've gotten older I've become a better shooter," Dunleavy said. "That's just with practice, knowing how to get your shots a little better, taking good shots. I feel like I'm becoming a better shooter. Hopefully that trend continues to move forward, and I think with this team, with the way guys pass and move the ball, hopefully I'll get even more looks."
The Duke alum is happy to be reunited with former Blue Devils teammate and current Bulls power forward Carlos Boozer.
"It's good to be reunited with Carlos 11 years later," he said. "It's been a long layoff, but I'm looking forward to playing with him and the rest of the guys."
In a career devoid of any real playoff success, Dunleavy is relishing the opportunity to contend for a title with the Bulls.
"That was definitely a big part of it," he said. "Kind of weeding through the different suitors, I definitely wanted to be on a team that has a chance to play into May and June. And I think this team, barring injuries and things that happen, I think we have a chance to do that."
The funny part is that Dunleavy missed the first call the Bulls made during the recruiting pattern. Luckily for him, and for the Bulls, everything turned out all right.
"I missed the call," he said. "I think I was changing my son's diapers or something. Bad time to be doing that -- but I got back to them, had a nice long conversation. I spoke to them separately, but we had good dialogue and just was in contact with my agent for the rest of the day and had some flattering conversations with some other teams, but again just picturing myself in every situation, this seemed to be the best."
The Bulls also announced the signings of draft picks Tony Snell and Erik Murphy.