Chicago Bulls Core Player Analysis: Kris Dunn

The third of four players in our Chicago Bulls future core breakdown: Point Guard, Kris Dunn.

It seems appropriate to talk about Kris Dunn’s NBA rise this weekend, as he and teammate Lauri Markkanen matched up in the Rising Stars Challenge. Dunn, playing limited minutes, still made his mark on the USA vs. World exhibition, scoring nine points, handing out five assists, and nabbing three steals. The main factor in his limited game minutes: his recent return to action after clearing league concussion protocol.

Dunn’s spot on the Rising Stars roster recognizes him as an emerging young player in the Association. Combine that with Chicago’s inability to find anyone to run the offense in his absence, and the signs point to him as a core player for the Bulls future.

Opportunity Knocks

Prior to the injury, Bulls fans saw Kris Dunn’s potential, albeit inconsistently. Under the Tom Thibodeau “Rookies Don’t Play” regime, the Timberwolves gave him little opportunity to shine. In Minnesota, on a team with too many guards, Dunn averaged just 17.1 MPG, 3.8 PPG, and 2.4 APG, for the 2016-2017 season.

Now in the Bulls rebuild era, Kris sits in the driver’s seat of an inexperienced, but promising offense, at 29.4 MPG. With this opportunity, he has proven he can handle the turns: now averaging 13.5 PPG, 6.3 APG, 4.6 RPG, and 2.0 steals. The steals per game demonstrate his skill on the defensive end as well. However, 2017-2018 has not been without its speed bumps.

Up and Down Play

In the early going this season, Dunn shot poorly from the field, and turned the ball over too often in crucial situations. One game he would go 0 for 6 for 2 points, and the next game drop 24. The consistent leadership just not there on a night in night out basis.

But Hoiberg’s continued confidence in his young guard, and Dunn’s resiliency, would begin to pay off. During the Bull’s seven game winning streak in December, Dunn averaged 16.6 PPG and 7.4 APG:

“I come from a resilient family,” Dunn said. “We are going to fight through any adversity…keep improving each and every day and grind it out. The biggest thing with being a point guard is to run the team…be a leader…get guys involved,” said Dunn. “I have a lot of confidence in myself, and the coaching staff and my teammates believe in me.”

New Leadership Role

With Mirotic gone, and older vets replaced, Kris Dunn now leads a new look offense. This Bulls play since his brutal fall against Golden State, has since proven this out. The team struggled getting into offensive sets, as Chicago dropped 7 of 9 in his absence.

But the way teammates and coaches speak about Kris Dunn, provides the clearest evidence of his rapid evolution into a core contributor:

Next: Chicago Bulls Core Player Analysis: Zach LaVine

“Kris is one of the better players on the team,” guard Zach LaVine said. “A really tough mindset, and we want him out here. It will be really good to get him back…to bring that energy, that toughness into the game.”

“Kris is a guy that’s shown that he can be relied on…” said Fred Hoiberg, “He’s really evolved into the closer for this team…”

With LaVine, Markkanen, and Dunn finally getting the chance to play on the same floor together, it’ll be fascinating to see the floor chemistry develop. Post All-Star Break, the Bulls future may begin to take shape.