Kris Dunn’s Journey: From Timberwolves Draft Pick to Clippers Defensive Force

LOS ANGELES, CA — Kris Dunn was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the fifth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, igniting high expectations for the two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year. However, Dunn’s journey to finding his role in the NBA has been complex and challenging.

After starting his career with the Timberwolves, Dunn was included in a trade that sent him and Zach LaVine to the Chicago Bulls. Dunn claimed he always focused on defense. “I knew defense was always going to be my calling card,” he told ClutchPoints. “I’ve been told even when I was in high school that in order to get on the floor, you got to make sure you’re good on defense.”

Injuries plagued Dunn during his time with the Bulls, forcing him to reassess his career in the G League. “I watched a lot of film,” he said. “I dealt with a lot of injuries throughout my career that hindered some things. But I watched a lot of film to figure out my role and how others were successful.”

His hard work paid off when the Utah Jazz called him up for the last stretch of the 2022-23 season, where he averaged 14.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. The Clippers acquired Dunn in the summer of 2024, betting on his defensive prowess after years of struggle to find a playmaking point guard.

Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue had big plans for Dunn before the 2024-25 season even started. “My goal for him is to make First Team All-Defense,” Lue remarked. This season, Dunn’s contributions on defense proved vital as he averaged 1.7 steals per contest, showcasing his ability to disrupt opposing offenses.

Dunn expressed a profound pride in his defensive abilities, likening his competitive nature to that of other great defenders. “Since I’ve been a kid, I’ve never been the guy who’d like somebody to score on me,” he said. “That’s just the competitive nature in me.”

However, despite playing 74 games this season, Dunn fell short of eligibility for the All-Defensive Team due to new eligibility requirements. His agent, Bernie Lee, criticized the new rules, saying, “It’s unfair.” With only 53 qualifying games at 20 minutes or more, Dunn felt robbed of recognition for his defensive impact.

This season, Dunn led the league with 236 deflections while tying with Miami’s Bam Adebayo, despite having significantly fewer minutes on the court. The analytics pointed to Dunn’s value: his Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus was second in the league, trailing only Alex Caruso.

As the Clippers head into the postseason, Dunn remains focused on his first-round matchup. “I just do what I do,” he said, echoing his commitment to his role on the team.