Kris Dunn of the Minnesota Timberwolves poses for a portrait during the 2016 NBA Rookie Photoshoot at Madison Square Garden Training Center. (Photo : Getty Images/Nick Laham)
Minnesota Timberwolves rookie point guard Kris Dunn had a great start to his NBA career but he has been relegated to the bench with the return of Ricky Rubio. His role with the Timberwolves had diminished in the past three games but could it go on throughout the season?
In 11 games this season, Dunn is averaging 4.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals. He started in five games Rubio was out with an elbow injury and he put up slightly better numbers. In those five starts, he averaged 4.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.0 steals.
The decline in minutes played, as well as production, has led to NBA.com placing him eighth in the weekly rookie rankings. He almost dropped from the list entirely if not for fellow rookies Domantas Sabonis, Pascal Siakam and Marquese Chriss underwhelming play.
The 22-year-old point guard was touted as the most NBA-ready player in the 2016 draft but his underwhelming play is too familiar with the Timberwolves. The struggling franchise has their fair share of flops at the PG position from the draft.
Jonny Flynn is the most recent flop for the Timberwolves since he is already out of the league. But the worst part is, they drafted Flynn ahead of two-time NBA MVP, Stephen Curry. Minnesota also got Rubio from that draft but what could have been if they had the Spanish guard and Curry together?
On the other hand, Minnesota also had success in drafting good point guards in Stephon Marbury so Dunn cannot be considered as a flop early in his career. There is also the fact that Rubio is very frustrated with the team's performance this season.
The frustration has been building for the Spaniard since the Timberwolves are not close to being playoff contenders. There were a lot of rumors involving Rubio this past summer but the underwhelming performance of Dunn might be enough for the team to retain him until the end of the season.
Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau told Basketball Insiders in an interview that he expect Dunn to have ups and downs in the season. However, he praised his defensive ability for a rookie but wants him to improve his offensive game.
"Like most rookies, he's a little up and down," Thibodeau said of Dunn. "I think defensively he's fine. He's ready to play NBA defense. He's still learning the game. I think the first time around for any rookie is a learning experience, particularly when you're going against starting point guards now for him," Thibodeau said.
As far as the Timberwolves as concerned, Dunn needs more time to develop his game. Coach Thibodeau has a great way to develop point guards, just look at Derrick Rose. The team has great potential with Dunn, Zach LaVine, Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns still on their early 20s.
Check out the video below see Dunn's game highlights against the Memphis Grizzlies.
