Chicago Bulls: 3 players facing most pressure in 2019-20

1. Kris Dunn

Kris Dunn began his NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but after a disappointing rookie season (3.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per contest), he was included in the draft-night trade in 2017 that sent Jimmy Butler to the Twin Cities and brought Dunn, Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen to the Chicago Bulls.

In his first year with the Bulls, Dunn averaged 13.4 points, 6.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 29.3 minutes per contest. He shot 42.9 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from 3-point range. Injuries limited Dunn to just 53 games in 2017-18, but overall, he put up respectable numbers.

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Unfortunately, Dunn’s success didn’t exactly carry over into last season. Sure, he did post a career-best in 3-point shooting, knocking down 35.4 percent of his attempts. On the other hand, his scoring dropped by two points per contest. Additionally, his overall shooting numbers, rebounding and steals also dipped a bit from 2017-18.

Taking those factors into consideration, it is of little surprise that the front office made upgrading the point guard position a priority entering this year’s NBA Draft.

"“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.”"

Based on Paxson’s comments, the starting spot is all but Dunn’s to lose. At the same time, with the additions of Coby White and Tomas Satoransky, along with bringing back both Ryan Arcidiacono and Shaquille Harrison, the Bulls are making sure they have multiple options to choose from should Dunn fail to live up to expectations.

For this reason, Dunn is the player who faces the most pressure heading into the 2019-20 NBA season.