Bulls' Mike Dunleavy: Ramping up workouts

Dunleavy (back) began running earlier this week and is expected to start cutting within a few days, CSN Chicago's Vincent Goodwill reports. "[Dunleavy's] getting closer to getting back out there on the floor," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. "He did a tempo run [Tuesday], all in a straight line as of right now."

Hoiberg also relayed that Dunleavy remains in the strength-building phase of his recovery, so a return to full practice may not immediately be on the horizon. Dunleavy, who is seven weeks removed from the lower-back surgery that was expected to sideline him for eight-to-10 weeks, looks set to return closer to the long end of that timetable, if not slightly after it. The Bulls have already cycled through two starters at small forward (Tony Snell and Doug McDermott), so it's still possible that Dunleavy will be able to ascend back to the top of the depth chart when he's healthy again.