2016 NBA Draft: 5 rookies primed to make biggest impact
By Tom West
2. Kris Dunn
Kris Dunn must make an appearance. Along with being the top point guard in the 2016 NBA Draft, he’s heading to the league’s dream youth situation in Minnesota, while the future of their existing point guard, Ricky Rubio, looks increasingly uncertain.
In fact, as Adrian Wojnarowski continued to obliterate Twitter with bombs all night long, he added that Rubio’s career in Minnesota could be over soon.
Minnesota has been shopping Ricky Rubio throughout the week. His future in Minnesota is likely coming to an end.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2016
It’s still unclear exactly what will be happening with Rubio and whether he will be traded prior to the start of the 2016-17 season. Rumors heated up throughout the start of the draft that the Timberwolves were in serious discussions with the Chicago Bulls to trade for Jimmy Butler with the No. 5 pick, although Woj reported that the Bulls were looking for Zach LaVine in return, not Rubio.
It’s a surprise to see a LaVine and Kris Dunn for Butler deal didn’t materialize from the Timberwolves’ standpoint. Are they really that in love with LaVine and his potential? But now we must look to the future and enjoy what Dunn has to offer at point.
At 6’4″ with a 6’10” wingspan, combined with buzzing speed and bounce, Dunn draws obvious comparisons to John Wall as an explosive, 6’4″ point guard. Dunn is an elite defender and will easily be able to smother point guards, most two guards, and possibly even some small forwards as he finds his footing in the NBA.
Offensively, he’ll pair up well with Karl-Anthony Towns in the pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop, knowing when to deliver passes and squeeze them through defenders, while possessing the ability to take off to the rim himself or pull-up for a shot. A more consistent three-point game and Dunn really will be a major threat.
The Timberwolves are clearly incredibly high on Dunn, and with such belief in him, his exceptional physical profile and proven ability at both ends of the floor, he can only become a vital player in their youth movement this season as Rubio’s future is questioned.
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