The Milwaukee Bucks could use some help on the defensive end of the court, especially after how they performed during the regular season. To address that need, the front office could go after Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn in the offseason.
Dunn first came into the league when the Minnesota Timberwolves selected him in the 2016 NBA Draft using the fifth pick. While the plan was for him to blossom as the team’s starting point guard, he didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard, especially on offense.
The following season, Minnesota packaged him, Zach LaVine and a first round pick in a deal to the Chicago Bulls to get Jimmy Butler. Dunn came off the bench and eventually faded into the background until his contract expired in 2020.
From there, Dunn bounced around the league and played for various teams, such as the Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Utah Jazz. The latter, in particular, has given the guard a chance to thrive as reserve point guard for the team. As a result, Dunn flourished on both ends of the court and has given Utah more than his contract’s worth for the past two seasons.
Milwaukee Bucks Projected To Go After Utah Jazz Guard Kris Dunn in Offseason
It’s no secret the Bucks’ defense sunk after the front office traded Jrue Holiday for All-Star point guard Damian Lillard. Even after adding Patrick Beverley to the lineup and getting a defensive-minded coach like Doc Rivers, Milwaukee continued to disappoint on that end of the court all season long.
To address this problem, the Bucks can go after Dunn in the offseason, as explained in an article Dalton Sell wrote for Behind the Buck Pass.
“Although Patrick Beverley proved to be a strong post trade deadline addition, it’s unclear if he will be back in green next season, especially after hinting that he’d like a bump in pay. If the team is unable to re-sign Beverley for the minimum, they could very well have to scout the market for a replacement, and a player who could fit nicely is Kris Dunn.
Prior to acquiring Beverley, the Bucks actually did hold an interest in Dunn, per Yahoo Sports insider Jake Fischer. The fit made sense, as Dunn, who had a bit of a resurgence with the Utah Jazz this past year after bouncing around for several years, proved to be a pesky defender and capable guard in a starting or reserve role,” Sell wrote.
Having Dunn in a team-friendly deal will yield a lot of benefits for the Bucks. With him in the lineup, Milwaukee gains a credible backcourt defender and an able player who can run the point if needed.
It remains to be seen whether the front office will go after Dunn or not. What’s certain, though, is that the risk of doing so may prove to be beneficial in the long run.
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