As a Providence Friars product from Rhode Island, Kris Dunn has spent most of his life playing in the northern part of the United States. He grew up in Connecticut and was a five-star prospect and one of the nation's best in the 2012 graduating class.
Furthermore, Dunn was a rising superstar for the Friars. In year four, he averaged 16.4 points, 6.2 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.5 steals(conference leader). He also won the Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year twice and was a consensus All-American before joining the NBA Draft process in 2016.
At pick five in 2016, the Minnesota Timberwolves chose Dunn over Jamal Murray, Domantas Sabonis, and Buddy Hield. This decision was bad enough, and instead of asserting two to three seasons of hope, Minnesota's front office found their rookie a new home in the Windy City.
Dunn's longest stint in his career was with Chicago, but he has also played in multiple time zones with the Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, and Utah Jazz.
The LA Clippers received Dunn in a package because they desperately wanted to part ways with Russell Westbrook. Given that the final year of his contract is not guaranteed, he was not expected to do much, but after 74 games, the Connecticut native has restructured his regard.
Lawrence Frank phenomenally executed the LA Clippers' gamble on Kris Dunn
Kris Dunn was considered a major draft bust for eight long seasons. He did average double-figures in consecutive years with the Chicago Bulls, but consistency and injuries were why NBA fans shook their heads with disappointment when discussing regretful picks of the 21st century.
Dunn is obviously not Jamal Murray or Buddy Hield, but he has been the epitome of defensive greatness for assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy. He was on track to make the first All-Defensive team of his career, but an unjust rule by the NBA has excluded his campaign.
Dunn averaged 6.4 points, 3.4 boards, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 steals this season. However, to explain how good he has really been, Lue is starting Dunn in the postseason over Derrick Jones Jr. and Bogdan Bogdanović, two significantly better scores.
That said, Dunn is a soon-to-be-paid veteran by the Clippers' front office. He will receive a hefty extension from Steve Ballmer, and if he does not sign, it will be for external reasons, not the check he was offered.