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Chicago Bulls: 3 biggest offseason questions for 2019

By James D. Tillman III

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Zach Lavine #8 and Kris Dunn #32 of the Chicago Bulls look on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Zach Lavine #8 and Kris Dunn #32 of the Chicago Bulls look on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Are the Bulls content with Dunn as the starting point guard?

It is no secret that Kris Dunn struggled during his rookie season with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2016-17. His averages of 3.8 points and 2.4 assists per outing on 37.7 percent shooting from the field weren’t the numbers you’d expect from a player that was taken at the No. 5 spot.

After coming over to the Bulls in the trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Twin Cities, Dunn played reasonably well in his first year in Chicago. His averages (13.4 points and 6.0 assists per contest) were significantly higher than the previous season. Unfortunately, injuries limited Dunn to just 53 games in 2017-18.

In 2018-19, it was more of the same, as the third-year point guard was out of the mix for six weeks early in the season due to an MCL sprain. Upon his return to the rotation, Dunn’s play could be categorized as inconsistent at best.

Sure, Dunn did shoot a career best 35.4 percent from 3 on 2.1 attempts per contest. On the other hand, his scoring, rebounding and overall shooting percentages dipped a bit in Year 2 with the Bulls. As a result, this had led to speculation as to whether Dunn is in fact the long-term solution at the starting point guard spot.

Despite the mixed results Bulls fans have witnessed thus far, the front office is still willing to give Dunn the chance to prove he is worthy of holding down a key position.

"“We have not given up on Kris,” Paxson told the Chicago Tribune. “I think he has defensive abilities. But we have to get better at that position, there’s absolutely no question in my mind. He has an opportunity this summer to improve his game, come back with the mindset of being a true push guard, getting us to play with pace. “Kris is going to have opportunity because he’s under contract, but we understand as an organization that’s a position that we’re going to have to address if we’re to make a step in the right direction. No beating around the bush on that one.”"

Simply put, the position is still Dunn’s to lose, but if his sporadic play continues, he could become expendable.

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