Canaan calls signing with Bulls 'great opportunity'

LAS VEGAS – Isaiah Canaan says he's elated to be the newest Chicago Bull.

The reserve point guard didn't actually have to say anything for folks to figure that out. Canaan was decked out in Bulls black and red while leaving the UNLV's Thomas & Mack Center on Wednesday afternoon.

"I'm just looking forward to another great opportunity," the former 76er said. "They got good veterans on the team with D-Wade [Dwyane Wade], [Rajon] Rondo and Jimmy Butler. So I'm looking forward to getting into the gym with them guys."

The Sixers did not extend Canaan a qualifying offer by the June 30 deadline, making him an unrestricted free agent. The Bulls signed him to a two-year, $2.2 million deal with a team option on the second season on Wednesday.

The 6-foot, 201-pounder averaged 11.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 25.5 minutes per game this past season. The Sixers acquired Canaan and a 2015 second-round pick from the Houston Rockets for K.J. McDaniels on Feb. 19, 2015.

Canaan said to be able to play behind Rondo is a good opportunity.

"It's an up-and-coming team," he said. "They got Wade. Everybody knows how he is, a great all-star, been around the league for a while. And he's back home with an up-and-coming talent like Jimmy Butler. It can't get no better than that."

Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers