The Bulls have one goal with Dunn for about half the season, if he even lasts until then: show him off as much as possible. Dunn isn’t the future of the Bulls and Dunn knows that. So it’s in both sides interest to play him a lot at the beginning of the season to get the best value for him.
I know that Boylen said that Dunn was going to be the day one starter, but I have a hard time believing that. I could buy it if Coby White was the only other point guard Dunn was competing against, but he isn’t. Tomas Satoransky is an overall better point guard than Dunn and it shouldn’t be a competition. Satoransky fits better with the Bulls current roster offensively and is no slouch on defense.
That being said, Dunn will be getting significant minutes early. Although he won’t be starting, that means he probably becomes the main scorer of the bench for the Bulls, which could either work out really well or could really plummet Dunn’s value.
Dunn isn’t the best shooter, but he is a good slasher and an above average passer. If he can show improvement in his jump shot, it shows that a two-way ability that many teams would covet.
But, if he doesn’t show that and returns back to how he played last year, his stock takes a tumble and the Bulls are stuck with a very low return for him.
Regardless of the outcome, he won’t be on this team for the full season. Having three competent point guards on the team might hinder Coby White’s development and the Bulls can’t risk that possibility.
My Prediction on Dunn’s Statline: 10.4 points , 3.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists on 44.5% shooting and 33.2% shooting from 3 in 25-28 minutes a game (30 games played for the Bulls)