What will the Chicago Bulls have to do with Kris Dunn to get the trade framework going for a potential deal before draft night?
The ability of the Chicago Bulls to get a deal done on the open trade market for former Minnesota Timberwolves and Providence Friars point guard Kris Dunn seems to be collapsing each passing day. Finding a deal that would benefit both Dunn and the Bulls would be the beneficial move, but finding that framework is going to be a chore.
The irony in this entire situation involving Dunn and the Bulls is that he could hit the trade market this off-season before John Paxson and Gar Forman hit free agency to bring in a point guard that is almost identical to his playing style. For instance, ditching Dunn for a point guard like the former Boston Celtics playoff standout Terry Rozier wouldn’t make much sense.
However, the idea of trading Dunn almost seems a done deal right now. According to the Chicago Tribune, the trade value of Kris Dunn for the Chicago Bulls could be “low to nonexistent” entering the summer. That is unfortunate for a Bulls front office that made it known at the outset of the off-season for them that they would explore a few different options to bring in a point guard.
GarPax might have waited too long to dish out Dunn, even though he is still a young and possibly promising two-way point guard. At 24-years-old, Dunn could still have a long way to go with his development if he lands in a good situation next. Landing with the Bulls and Timberwolves previously obviously didn’t help him fill gaps in his skill set.
Any potential trade that the Bulls had in mind with a team like the Los Angeles Lakers for Lonzo Ball or the New Orleans Pelicans for Jrue Holiday could be more difficult or strenuous to pull off now. Throwing in more than just the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery might be a requirement now for GarPax to get a deal done for the return of a quality point guard.
Landing the seventh overall pick in this draft made for the chance for the Bulls to be more open-minded about what to do on the trade market ahead of June 20. Dunn is also starting to get more and more involved with swirling trade discussion around local and national media.
#7 Pick + 2020 Unprotected 1st Rd Pick + Kris Dunn to the Memphis Grizzlies for #2 Pick Ja Morant.
— Chicago Bulls Talk (@BullsSource) May 15, 2019
Would you do this trade because Memphis could seriously consider this.
Even dating back to December 2018, Chicago Bulls media (per Joe Cowley of the Chicago-Sun Times) had questions about whether Kris Dunn was a core part of this franchise’s starting five moving forward. The stability for Dunn in the Bulls starting five was anything but certain since the start of this past regular season.
With all this in mind, it’s hard to foresee Dunn back in a Bulls uniform next season with a significant spot in the rotation. If nothing works out in the way of bringing in a point guard via a draft, trade, or free agency, then Dunn coming back might be forced.