Yet chosen in 5th position in the 2016 Draft by the Wolves, Kris Dunn has never managed to find his place in the NBA. Neither in Minnesota, nor really in Chicago where he was quickly transferred (as part of the exchange around Jimmy Butler and Zach LaVine), nor yet in Atlanta or Portland.
The former leader trained in Providence has known three different franchises in the past three seasons. The definition of the “journeyman”. However, But Kris Dunn is simply in the process of fully realizing himself within the nascent Jazz collective. After tiptoeing into Utah…
A golden opportunity at Jazz
After two ten-day contracts, the Jazz has effectively extended its new 29-year-old veteran point guard for the end of the season, and the next one as an option. What to show the muscles… in front of his coach?
“Yes, it’s true, I sometimes showed my muscles to the coach”laughs Kris Dunn in the Deseret News. “Just to show him that I am here. The definition of the muscle is clear. Most people consider me a weakling, but I also like to play power. I let him know, ‘Hey coach, don’t worry, you’re safe with me. »
Despite his defensive qualities, Kris Dunn had never managed to prove his worth on the other side of the field, with a 3-point percentage unworthy of a starting point guard in the NBA, or even a substitute (28%).
Worse, repeated injuries have made him a “bargaining chip” player in recent years.
“We are often a little quick to judge players”concedes Will Hardy. “I have proof of this almost daily with my players. The best thing about basketball is that you can always progress. [Sa signature] was one of the coolest moments of the season. »
The target finally settled?
Falling back to the G-League box at the start of the season, where he had 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and more than 2 steals per game, Kris Dunn has gradually resumed the straight line of his career.
Stronger and better armed offensively, after notably hiring a nutritionist and agreeing to change his shooting mechanics, he came back stronger than ever, with record percentages both at two and at three points (respectively 48 and 39% ) since joining the troupe from Salt Lake City.
“He is made to play in the NBA and I am really happy to see him take this opportunity”blew his former teammate of the Bulls and now of the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen. “He worked hard and he deserves his place. »
With Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson who have both been on the flank for almost a month now, plus the transfer of Mike Conley, the Jazz guard needed a helping hand combining experience, serenity and versatility. Kris Dunn brought it all, and more…
“It’s a bit cliché but seeing my dad smile was the best moment [après la signature de mon contrat]. When he smiles, and my son is happy for me, more generally my whole family is happy for me, it just makes me want to work even harder. To make people around me happy. »
| Kris Dunn | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2016-17 | MIN | 78 | 17 | 37.7 | 28.8 | 61.0 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 3.8 |
| 2017-18 | CHI | 52 | 29 | 42.9 | 32.1 | 73.7 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 6.0 | 3.4 | 2.0 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 13.4 |
| 2018-19 | CHI | 46 | 30 | 42.5 | 35.4 | 79.7 | 0.4 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 6.0 | 3.6 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 11.3 |
| 2019-20 | CHI | 51 | 25 | 44.4 | 25.9 | 74.1 | 0.5 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 3.4 | 3.1 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 7.3 |
| 2020-21 | ATL | 4 | 11 | 8.3 | 0.0 | 75.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 1.3 |
| 2021-22 | ORP | 14 | 24 | 43.1 | 9.1 | 94.4 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 7.6 |
| 2022-23 | UTH | 13 | 23 | 48.7 | 38.5 | 80.0 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 5.2 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 11.2 |
| Total | 258 | 24 | 42.4 | 30.4 | 74.3 | 0.4 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 4.3 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 8.3 | |
