Can Kris Dunn be a backcourt savior to the Philadelphia 76ers? Should they select him in this year’s NBA Draft?
The Philadelphia 76ers may be able to use point guard Kris Dunn out of Rhode Island.
Kris Dunn is largely overlooked in this year’s NBA Draft. For some reason, despite the qualities that he and other players similar to him bring to the table — Jaylen Brown comes to mind — this year’s NBA Draft is being looked at as shallow. I’m not so sure, given what Dunn can do, and he’s slated to go 5-8, that the draft class deserves to be looked at as shallow.
What I’m seeing more, instead, is a talent pool that may be a bit behind other draft classes as they head into the NBA, but a draft class that could exceed the ceiling of others that preceded them.
Dunn was ranked number one in his state coming out of high school, and 24th in the nation. Unfortunately, his college career was overshadowed by a lot of injury issues. Going into his freshman season, he had to delay his debut to December because of an injury.
More from The Sixer Sense
- 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
- 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
- 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
- Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
- Sixers Podcast: Danny Green returns + James Harden bombshell
Just a year later, Dunn would have to miss the rest of his sophomore season because of another injury.
Finally, in his junior year, Dunn had a solid season with no injuries. What we were able to see him do in that time was incredible, and makes me believe that if he can stay healthy, he can be a solid guard in the NBA.
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 205 pounds
- Wingspan: 6’9″
College resume
As mentioned earlier, Dunn had a lot of issues in his first two college years with unfortunate injuries. But after playing just 29 games total in his first two seasons, Dunn was able to play 33 in his final two. Despite having one more season of eligibility left due to previous injuries, Dunn decided to declare for this year’s NBA Draft, a smart move on his part.
His junior year was his first full year without a major injury issue keeping him from the court, and what we were able to see him do then was outstanding.
For Providence, in his junior year, Dunn was named Big East Player of the Year as well as Defensive Player of the Year. Dunn also won Player of the Year in his final season with Providence.
Dunn averaged 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game in his final year, while shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from the 3-point line.
In 2015 Dunn was first in total Big East assists, and in the following year he was second. He was also first in total steals in 2015 and 2016. It’s clear that Dunn can get the ball moving while also scoring on his own power, which is something the Sixers will definitely need moving forward.
A huge downside, though, is that he was first in turnovers in the entire NCAA in 2015, and didn’t improve much on that in 2016. That could be a huge reason why Dunn will be the second point guard taken in this year’s draft.
Experts take
Where Dunn be drafted?
Looking at the board, a lot of teams could use Dunn, but there are simply better options before him. He will likely be drafted fifth or sixth in this year’s draft. The only way he could move up to the top three, or even grab the fourth spot is if he has some really outstanding workouts leading up to the draft.
The Sixers could have their pick be as bad as the fourth, and the Lakers pick they own could be
Does he fit with the Sixers?
Dunn would be a great fit with the Sixers, especially if they don’t plan on bringing Ish Smith back. They need a player in the backcourt who can both pass well and score well. Right now they have a lot of talented players in the backcourt that are good at one of those things, and bad at the other.
Related Story: Jaylen Brown: Prospect Watch
Adding Dunn onto this team will make the starting lineup a very young one, but as they years go on and these players mature and develop, he could be a solid piece to a competitive basketball team.
Dunn is good in transition and would fit well with Brett Brown’s fast paced offense. He could also work well in the half court and set guys like Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor up to succeed.
Next: Optimism For Sixers Draft
Overall, if the Sixers have a pick left at 5 or 6, and maybe even as low as 4, and Dunn is still on the board, they should draft him. Otherwise, there are better players available. Dunn is good, but not top-3 good.