Per Joey Linn, head coach Tyronn Lue has decided who will start for the LA Clippers on opening night, and it looks like Kris Dunn. One could argue he is the right choice. Dunn brings a tenacious defensive mentality and rebounding at guard, which the Clippers will need, especially given the strengths and weaknesses of the rest of the lineup.
However, Dunn struggles to put points on the board. This spells trouble for first-option star guard Darius Garland, as he’ll have more pressure to score the ball out of the backcourt.
Had Keaton Wagler, who was among the possible choices for Lue, been the pick, Garland’s life would’ve been a lot easier. The rookie has shown countless times he can create for himself.
Soon after the season kicks off, Lue may change his mind. At the beginning, though, Garland might be doomed.
Kris Dunn might not have been the correct choice to start alongside Darius Garland
It’s pretty easy to see why Tyronn Lue chose Kris Dunn. Beyond everything he offers on both ends, his skill set complements Darius Garland to a T, and that plays a major role in the team’s success.
In the same breath, Lue overlooked arguably the biggest problem, at least for now, in the starting lineup: scoring.
While Brandon Ingram is sidelined as he recovers from a partially torn Achilles, no certified second option is helping Garland get buckets. Currently, the next man up is Rui Hachimura, which, as anyone could guess, is a problem.
Rolling with Dunn, who averaged the fewest points of anyone in the projected starting five during the 2025-26 season at just 7.3, certainly does Garland, and the Clippers as a whole, no justice whatsoever.
At best, Dunn is a respectable spot-up shooter who can occasionally get a bucket by creating for himself or by moving off the ball. He applies minimal pressure at the iron and barely gets to the foul line.
As a result, opponents could strategize to play a bit off Dunn and pay more attention to Garland, to limit him in any way, shape, or form.
This could work, and if you’re the Clippers, it’s obviously not what you want to happen on the offensive end.
That said, time will tell. We could see why Dunn may not have been the best choice next to Garland relatively early, or he might surprise us and prove Lue right after all.
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