It was a whirlwind 72 hours for R.J. Hunter on the eve of the NBA season. He lost the battle for the Celtics’ final roster spot to James Young and was waived, a new low for the former Georgia State star who was a first-round pick a year ago. Days later, he worked out a deal with the Bulls, who had an open roster spot, and faced the team that cut him on opening night.

Hunter didn’t play in the Bulls’ season-opening 105-99 win over the Celtics — the signing didn’t become official until minutes before tipoff — but he was in the United Center and saw his former teammates and coaches.

“It was super awkward,” Hunter said Friday afternoon, after his first practice with the Bulls at the Advocate Center. “I almost cheered real quick but then I had to remember I’m not on the team no more. It was cool though. They all showed a lot of love, even [Celtics GM] Danny Ainge and the coaches. So it was kind of a good goodbye.”

Hunter said eight teams approached his agent in the days after the Celtics cut him, but he felt wanted by the Bulls and made his decision quickly. The Bulls had a need for shooters and an open roster spot, which helped Hunter to get over the disappointment that came with being cut.

That doesn’t mean the Celtics’ decision didn’t hurt.

“That day was rough,” Hunter said. “I knew I was battling for a spot, but just when you hear, ‘We’re letting you go, you’re getting cut,’ it is kind of a shot to the stomach. But I believe it’s better, and I’ve got to use that in a positive way, because I think two days later [the Bulls] called me. So I didn’t have time to sulk around.”

Boston has a deep, talented roster, but Hunter’s cut was a bit of a surprise. He didn’t play much in his rookie season and didn’t play well when he did, but a team that values young talent and first-round picks as much as the Celtics doesn’t usually cut bait after one year.

“It humbled me,” Hunter said. “It was a reality check for me, because I think I was taking this for granted. I’m absolutely blessed to be here, absolutely fortunate. I know a lot of guys would die to be in the position so the fact that [the Bulls] believed in me was huge.”

It’s unlikely that Hunter will play much for the Bulls, at least not early on. The rotation in their opening-night win went 10 deep and appears to be, give or take a few situational changes, what the pecking order will be barring injuries or foul trouble. But the Bulls still think he can help them.

“R.J. is guy who can make shots,” head coach Fred Hoiberg said Friday. “He’s a guy you absolutely have to guard on the perimeter. He’s a guy who not only can spot shoot but is a good off-the-dribble guy and from watching some of his clips, he’s a very good passer as well. So I think it’s a good pickup.”

Now, after the week’s disappointment, Hunter gets to play alongside Dwyane Wade, who he grew up idolizing and whose shoe brand was even a sponsor of his AAU team in high school. Adjusting to a new team will be one thing; he’ll also have to fight the urge to ask Wade for free shoes.

“Hell no,” Hunter said. “I’m trying not to fan out, man. That’s my teammate now, so I’ve got to act cool about it.”