Hawks request waivers on backup forward Mike Dunleavy

Atlanta-Hawks-guard-Mike-Dunleavy-(34)-shoots-in-front-of-Washington-Wizards-forward-Kelly-Oubre-Jr.-(12)-and-center-Ian-Mahinmi-(28)-during-the-second-half-of-an-NBA-basketball-game-Wednesday,-March-22,-2017,-in-Washington.-The-Wizards-won-104-100.-(Alex-Brandon/AP)

Atlanta Hawks guard Mike Dunleavy (34) shoots in front of Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) and center Ian Mahinmi (28) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 22, 2017, in Washington. The Wizards won 104-100. (Alex Brandon/AP)

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks have taken a step to prepare for Saturday’s start of the free agency period by requesting waivers on backup wing player Mike Dunleavy.

The Hawks acquired Dunleavy as part of a package that included a protected future first round pick from Cleveland for guard Kyle Korver on Jan. 7. Dunleavy was to earn $5.2 million in the 2017-18 season. The move frees money that can be used in the team’s effort to re-sign power forward Paul Millsap.

The 36-year-old Dunleavy averaged 5.6 points in 30 games, all as a reserve, with Atlanta.

Dunleavy, a first-round pick by Golden State in 2002, has a career average of 11.2 points per game. He scored a career high 19.1 points per game with Indiana in the 2007-08 season.

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