Chicago Bulls: 3 players that will need to make up for Kris Dunn’s absence

3) Chicago Bulls who replace Dunn’s role

Karnisovas and the Bulls got themselves a safe veteran signing that will bring an experienced and tempered voice to the locker room this season with the former Brooklyn Nets 34-year-old 6-foot-5 and 195 pound shooting guard Garrett Temple. It was a tad surprising that the Bulls were willing to part ways with Dunn in favor of Temple.

But the fit between Temple and the rest of this backcourt rotation, in the new Donovan scheme, could be more natural than Dunn would be. Temple has showed the capability to shoot decently well consistently from downtown in the past. He did take a bit of a step back in the shooting efficiency department last season, though.

During the shortened 2019-20 regular season with the Nets, Temple played in 62 games (35 of which he started in). And he averaged 10.3 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks. Temple shot 37.8 percent from the field, 32.9 percent from beyond the arc, and 80.5 percent from the free-throw line.

The Bulls did at least get Temple on a contract that didn’t cost much, for one-year for $5 million. He isn’t the long-term answer for the Bulls establishing a solid defensive presence on the perimeter. But he can help mentor the likes of rookie point guard Coby White and Valentine. And he might even be able to help out the defensive game of standout shooting guard Zach LaVine.