Kris Dunn Can Play Important Role For 2021-22 Boston Celtics

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisgrenham/2021/08/30/kris-dunn-brings-important-value-to-the-2021-22-boston-celtics/?sh=65d617b67111



Kris Dunn Can Play Important Role For 2021-22 Boston Celtics


Chris Grenham
Contributor



Atlanta Hawks guard Kris Dunn (32) dribbles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) ASSOCIATED PRESS



The Boston Celtics have made a lot of moves during Brad Stevens’ first offseason as president of basketball operations, headlined by names like Kemba Walker, Al Horford and Dennis Schroder, among others. Kris Dunn won’t draw the same kind of attention as the aforementioned names, but he brings a valuable skill set to the Celtics new-look roster.


Ime Udoka, like Stevens, is a defensive-minded coach, and it’s clear Boston’s front office is approaching this season with that side of the floor in mind. Marcus Smart and Josh Richardson headline this roster’s impressive defensive versatility, giving the Celtics a unique advantage over most of their opponents. How Udoka ultimately utilizes his rotation will be interesting, but if Dunn remains on the team, pending any trades, he could be an important depth piece with regards to Boston’s defensive mindset.

At Providence, Dunn was a superior athlete who showcased that on both ends of the court in seemingly every game for the Friars. The result was a top-five selection in the 2016 NBA Draft — Dunn went No. 5 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves, just two picks after Boston took Jaylen Brown. Many Celtics fans and New Englanders were upset that Danny Ainge didn’t select the New London, Connecticut native. Over the next few years, however, Brown blossomed into an all-star wing, while Dunn dealt with countless injury issues, bouncing from Minnesota to Chicago to Atlanta. Despite a lack of durability, Dunn’s ability to impact the game defensively stuck out in a major way during his time with the Bulls. That is what Udoka and his staff will look to capitalize on during his time with the Celtics.


The Celtics had a glaring lack of depth last season, an issue that hurt them on both sides of the floor. This year, however, they have the ability to show some promising versatility when Udoka goes to the bench. Take Payton Pritchard, for example. Up until the NBA Summer League championship, Pritchard played nearly perfect basketball in Las Vegas. Of course, summer league is significantly different than a regular NBA game, but his range, patience in the pick-and-roll and overall confidence was impressive. A potential second-unit backcourt of Dunn and Pritchard is really intriguing. The Atlanta Hawks brought in Dunn to have a defensive stalwart next to their scoring guards — the 27-year-old could play that exact role to a lesser degree off of the Celtics bench, and that’s something a lot of NBA teams don’t have coming off the bench.

All of this isn’t an exaggeration due to his recent acquisition, either. Dunn’s ability to disrupt opposing offenses is legitimate. When healthy, he’s one of the game’s best perimeter defenders. His length, athleticism and lateral movement all work so well with his instincts and defensive IQ. He can defend multiple positions effectively without skipping a beat. It would make a lot of sense to see Udoka fall in love with what he could provide for Boston’s bench.


Shortly after Dunn was traded to the Celtics it was reported, first by The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, that Boston may not be Dunn’s final landing spot this offseason. This isn’t necessarily imminent, however it’s certainly something to keep an eye on as we move closer to the start of the season. As training camp winds down and the roster begins to come into full shape, I’m sure the rumor mill will begin to turn one way or another. Dunn is set to make just north of $5 million this season before hitting unrestricted free agency next summer, so he isn’t in the Celtics’ long-term plans right now, regardless of any potential moves. That being said, the short-term value remains important for this year’s team, and keeping him and his expiring contract around makes a lot of sense. Stevens wants to keep financial flexibility in mind moving forward, which is a smart approach. Keeping Dunn in green this year does not disrupt that plan in the slightest.

Dunn fits the mold of a player who Udoka and Stevens both love. His durability is a major concern, but if he remains healthy, he’ll undoubtedly help Boston’s backcourt depth. Stevens struggled to fill out a quality rotation last season, but the addition of a player like Dunn makes that easier for Udoka in his first campaign as head coach. It was overlooked by many over the course of the summer, but acquiring his size and defensive prowess was a fantastic play by the Celtics’ new-look front office ahead of the 2021-22 season.


Bob
MY NOTE:  I look at Kris Dunn this way:  IF HE'S HEALTHY he's better than Carsen Edwards.  He's not the shooter Carsen Edwards is but neither is Carsen Edwards (except in Summer League against bubble players hoping to get an invite to an NBA pro camp where they will be bubble players hoping to make it onto the roster where they'll be a bubble player for the rest of the season).  In regards to being a floor general, Dunn's career assist-to-turnover ratio is 2.25:1 (his 4 games in Atlanta last year were excrement, they dragged the average down) while Edwards' career assist-to-turnover ratio is 2.0:1 (although his ratio last year was 2.5:1), but in far fewer minutes (5561 for Dunn vs 627 for Carsen).  He is, however, a much better defender.  He's right-sized at 6'3" and a 6'9" wingspan and defense is his calling card.  Edwards at 5'11" can only do what he can do.  IF HE'S NOT HEALTHY he's still not much of a loss than a healthy Carsen Edwards as far as contributing on the court BUT his $5M expiring contract makes a vastly superior trade filler than Edwards' $1.78M expiring contract.  Even if the acquiring team sees no value in keeping either player Dunn "fills the hole" salary cap-wise better.  And Kris Dunn might someday be healthy.  Carsen Edwards will never be even 6'0" even.

At the bottom of my list would be trading Kris Dunn for another TPE.  We've got some already, we have that nice $17M on for Fournier.  I'd rather trade Dunn for a pick, if it gets down to it.  Optimally I'd like to trade Dunn and Edwards for a PF, but that's not going to happen.  In my perfect world we trade Dunn and Edwards and Grant for a legit NBA PF, but that's probably not going to happen either.


.

Perimeter defense becomes better when you have depth.

I would lean towards keeping Dunn.  However Brad may still be looking at making a deal to move him and someone else for maybe another shooter or maybe a PF.

If Boston finds themselves in the top half of the EC standings around February they may consider using part or all of their big TPE to add a player of need.

Before the season begins Boston will need to move at least one player.  I think Carsen Edwards would be the best choice even though Parker does not fill up the glass and Dunn's injury history is a red flag.  The easy choice that would not require a trade and would not cost the team any money would be to waive Parker.