PG | 6-2, 210 lbs
2016-17 season: 78 games, 7 starts, 17.1 MPG, 3.8 PPG, 2.4 APG, 2.1 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 37.7 FG%, 28.8 3P%, 61 FT%
The Timberwolves selected point guard Kris Dunn out of Providence with the fifth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Dunn appeared in 78 games, starting seven. While his season had ups and downs (like any other rookie), Dunn showed flashes of success.
Offensively, there’s work to be done for Dunn. But defensively, he’s already an above-average defender.
Dunn said that midway through the season, he hit a bit of a rookie wall, but responded nicely. In his last game of the season, Dunn finished with 10 points and 16 assists while starting for Ricky Rubio and was a +3 for the Wolves against the Rockets. It might not seem like it means much, but it’s a positive sign for what Dunn will be able to do with more experience.
Top Three Games Of The Season
3.) March 28 at Indiana Pacers
In this 115-114 road win over the Pacers, Dunn finished with nine points, four steals, three blocks, two rebounds and a steal in 26 minutes off the bench. He shot a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and 3-for-4 from the free-throw line.
2.) March 25 at Portland Trail Blazers
In nearly 29 minutes off the bench, Dunn finished with 17 points, four rebounds, two steals and an assist. He shot an efficient 8-for-13 from the field and 1-for-2 from the 3-point line.
1.) Jan. 22 vs. Denver Nuggets
Dunn’s best game of the season came in this 111-108 home win over the Nuggets. In 34 minutes, Dunn finished with a near triple-double of 10 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, three steals and a block. He was a team-best +14 and was a perfect 2-for-2 from the 3-point line.
Top Offseason Objectives
There will be lots of things Dunn will look to improve as he enters his second NBA season, just like any young player. But specifically, Dunn will work on his shot after making just 37.7 percent of his shots from the field, 28.8 percent from the 3-point line and 61 percent from the free-throw line.
To put that in perspective, though, a player he was compared to coming into the NBA, John Wall, shot just 40.9 percent from the field and 29.6 percent from the 3-point line in his rookie season.
Role for 2017-18?
Dunn’s offensive game needs some improvement, but in his rookie season, he already showed plenty ability to be a shutdown defender who can probably defend three positions, which is rare for anyone, let alone a second-year player. Per 36 minutes, he averaged 2.1 steals per game which ranked ahead Wall, Rajon Rondo, Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler. Expect that to continue in 2017-18.
They Said It…