Chicago Bulls have lottery talent and playoff hopes in 2019-20
Storyline 1: Will Kris Dunn be around beyond the trade deadline?
When Kris Dunn was entering the NBA Draft in 2016, there was bona fide hype surrounding the former Providence Friar. After all, he was coming off a senior season in which he averaged 16.4 points per game to go along with 6.2 assists while displaying stellar defense.
His rookie season, after being selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, was a disaster. Despite appearing in 78 games as a rookie, he posted just 3.8 points per game, shooting 37.7 percent from the field with 2.1 turnovers in only 17.1 minutes per game.
The change of scenery from Minneapolis to Chicago provided some relief for Dunn, but his development in two seasons with the Bulls has not triggered the type of growth expected of a high lottery pick, especially one with four years of collegiate experience.
Dunn slipped from 13.4 points per game his first season with the Bulls to 11.3 points per game while shooting 42.5 percent from the field last season. Not just inconsistent, he didn’t show much development. He still struggled with turnovers and injuries, only playing 46 games a season ago.
John Paxson has stated often that Dunn is still in the team’s plans, as of now.
"“I’ve mentioned many times since the season ended that we haven’t given up on Kris. He’s a good basketball player,” Paxson said. “I should’ve mentioned him earlier. I apologize. Long day. Brain is fried. We still value Kris very much. But competition is a part of this business. You have to have that. The goal for us is to be deeper, more talented. You see in our game today, the successful teams have versatile rosters. “We respect Kris Dunn. We want him to come in and work. But nothing can be given to you in this game. And, hey, if he comes in, as we hope, in training camp in great shape and ready to roll, he has every chance to earn any spot he wants — just like any of our guys do.”"
It’s a nice sentiment from the man running the basketball operations department, but it’s the same man who drafted Coby White and executed a sign-and-trade deal for Tomas Satoransky.
Dunn’s regression in 2018-19 was concerning enough for the team that they acquired two new versatile point guards who will be expected to contribute right away. Satoransky and his $10 million per year deal wasn’t brought in to simply be a placeholder until White is ready.
It’s likely he’ll take Dunn’s spot in the lineup and Dunn will have to fight off the rookie White for rotation minutes.
If Dunn wants to remain with the Chicago Bulls for the entire 2019-20 season, he’ll need to earn it. Paxson coveted competition at the position and now he has it.