Fansided

2016 NBA Draft: where are they now?

By Brandon Jefferson

TORONTO, ON - MAY 7: Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) reaches in on Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43). Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers in1st half action of Round 2, Game 5 of NBA playoff play at Scotiabank Arena. Raptors win 125-89 and now lead series 3-2. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 7: Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) reaches in on Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43). Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers in1st half action of Round 2, Game 5 of NBA playoff play at Scotiabank Arena. Raptors win 125-89 and now lead series 3-2. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 25: 2016 NBA Draft Pick Kris Dunn of the Minnesota Timberwolves bakes muffins with youth and visits their garden on June 25, 2016 at Urban Strategies in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 25: 2016 NBA Draft Pick Kris Dunn of the Minnesota Timberwolves bakes muffins with youth and visits their garden on June 25, 2016 at Urban Strategies in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Kris Dunn, Minnesota Timberwolves

With Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine, and Andrew Wiggins already on the roster, the Minnesota Timberwolves looked well on their way to turning into one of the most promising young teams in the NBA, adding a fifth-overall pick to that tandem seemed like the best way for the Timberwolves to rebrand themselves in the post-Kevin Garnett era.

Dunn was joining a team that already had Ricky Rubio slotted in as the starting point guard, however, there was talk of Rubio being available for the right price as Tom Thibodeau was hired before the 2016 NBA Draft and wanted to put his imprint on the roster.

After three years at Providence, Dunn was thought of as being a well-rounded guard. A big, strong, athletic defender on one end and a downhill driver capable of getting his own shot at any time on the other. Entering the draft as a junior also made teams believe that he was a ready-made prospect who could come in and have an immediate impact in the NBA. All those things made him a player too enticing for Thibodeau to pass up in his first go-round calling the shots as the president of basketball operations.

His first season didn’t go as planned. Dunn would play in 78 games and start in seven, however his numbers were very pedestrian. He put together a rookie season where he averaged 3.8 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game, and one steal per game. Dunn was unable to surpass Ricky Rubio as the team’s starter and it wasn’t until the offseason that he would get his opportunity to showcase his abilities as a lead guard. That chance wouldn’t come with the Timberwolves as he was dealt during the 2017 NBA Draft to the Chicago Bulls (along with the draft rights to Lauri Markkanen) in the Jimmy Butler trade.

Dunn has been the point guard for the Bulls for the last two seasons and though his numbers have improved the once sure thing has become outdated by today’s standards. Dunn’s inability to be a consistent perimeter threat has caused him to miss out on the pace-and-space revolution the NBA has undergone during his short career.

With opposing teams basically ignoring Dunn when he’s stationed outside of the paint, it has hampered the ability of Chicago’s other top tier players to flourish offensively. John Paxson knows this and is ready to make a change unless Dunn shows drastic improvement as a shooter quickly.

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