The Los Angeles Clippers have come under fire in recent years for acquiring too many players with too much off-court drama, but they deserve credit for acquiring a talented veteran who could potentially reignite his career.
Kris Dunn seemed to have all the qualities necessary to be a superstar as a pro. Despite his lanky 6-foot-3 frame, his ability as a tenacious closer was more akin to a middle linebacker than a modern point guard. With excellent handles and a lightning first step, he did most of his damage by exploding to the cup. Defensively, he drew comparisons to Gary Payton with his ability to dodge screens and contain opposing guards at every turn.
Although he never had postseason success, he energized the Providence College basketball team and made them a formidable threat on the national stage. Despite his impressive qualities, his perimeter shooting inconsistency remained a concern. In his final year with the Friars, he had his best season on the 3-point field and rose to the top of draft boards.
The 2016 draft had a lot of top prospects, but Dunn was selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves over guards Buddy Hield and Jamal Murray, and Chris struggled as a rookie before being traded to the Chicago Bulls for Jimmy Butler.
He showed flashes of potential in Chicago, but repeated injuries and an inability to adapt to the modern NBA marred his tenure there, and after brief stints in Atlanta, Portland and the G League, the end seemed near for the former high draft pick.
In February 2023, late in the season, the Utah Jazz signed Dunn to a 10-day contract. Dunn played well enough to earn another 10-day contract and eventually a multi-year deal. Dunn played well for the Jazz, finally adding three-point range to his arsenal and becoming one of the best defensive guards in the game.
A disorganized rotation and inconsistent team command have hampered Dunn’s resurgence, and in a limited sample size, the 30-year-old has shown he’s good enough to thrive in a more significant role.
With the departures of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard leaving them with little recourse, the Clippers are without an identity. Steve Ballmer has done his best to adopt a Hollywood star-driven mentality, but he quickly learned that money can’t buy success in the NBA. The best the team can do is to assume the gritty, tough personality of head coach Ty Lue.
Dunn can serve as the defensive spearhead for a team that is sorely lacking in intensity. In a Western Conference filled with talented guards, having a good ball-stopper is a game-changing luxury for this team. Offensively, Dunn is rich or poor, but he is much more confident with his outside shot and can finish around the rim.
Dunn is likely to be a productive player at the end of the bench even in his ninth season, and hopefully the journeyman will mature like a fine wine and make a big impact in his first season in Inglewood.