3. Kris Dunn, Point Guard
The most recent of the three costliest injuries listed here for the Chicago Bulls is that of 6-foot-4 point guard Kris Dunn going down with a knee sprain in a recent loss to the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors not only got the best of the Bulls by the final score of 129-102 at the United Center, they saw a key defensive stopper get injured early on in the first quarter.
One of the NBA’s leading steal getters this season went down with an injury that could keep him out through part of March. But Dunn also has the second best value over replacement player rating on the Bulls, best defensive box plus/minus rating, and the most defensive win shares. His defensive value is quite clear.
The Bulls don’t have any other players on the roster that make as much of a defensive impact as Dunn. His ability to matchup with other team’s best guards is unparalleled. The Bulls do have the 6-foot-4 combo guard Shaquille Harrison lying in wait for more playing time, but his ability on both ends of the floor still doesn’t match that of Dunn.
What is also a shame about this knee injury for Dunn is the fact that he is in the midst of the final year of his rookie contract. Dunn needed a solid season to prove his worth ahead of what could be his first stint in free agency. The Bulls held onto him through the trade deadline likely in part because of this knee injury too.