What exactly do Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen bring to the Bulls?

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It’s worth noting that part of recent NBA news is the Bulls’ picking up of team options for three of its current players, Denzel Valentine, Kris Dunn, and Lauri Markkanen. All these players are currently injured and still on rookie-based contracts.

That the Bulls exercised team options for the three means that the team gets to keep them on rookie-scale deals for another NBA season. But what’s more important in this move is that it shows Chicago’s commitment to work on its current rebuild with these players in tow.

Markkanen and not LaVine was the expected go-to guy for the Bulls, but he suffered an elbow injury even before the season began, acquiring it during the first week of camp. Valentine sprained his ankle also during basketball camp, while Dunn had a sprained left MCL during the team’s first game versus Dallas.

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Markkanen and Dunn are obviously key figures in the new-look Bulls. Point guard Dunn is already a reliable option on offense and has displayed good court generalship. He can fight off screens to both shoot and pass and, more importantly, he is an aggressive defender. Dunn has a huge upside for his two-way play.

The Finnish Markkanen has already displayed his wares last season, coming up with solid averages of 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds. He likewise shoots the ball outside the three-point arc really well, recording a 36% clip from that range in his rookie year. He is clearly the guy to complement the game Zach LaVine on offense. LaVine is explosive when driving and posting up, while Markkanen should be able to spread the floor due to the outside threat he poses.

Richard Ohlhaber grew up in Chicago but is now based in Texas. He continues to be a huge fan of Chicago sports, especially of the Bulls and the Chicago Bears and the teams’ greatest players, Michael Jordan and Walter Payton. More NBA-related reads here.

Should Kris Dunn remain as the main point guard for the Bulls?

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Last season’s return of Zach LaVine—this time donning a Bulls uniform—was undeniably most-welcome for the struggling Chicago team. While a lot of NBA critics believed that the Bulls got the raw end of the deal when they traded away Jimmy Butler for the then-injured LaVine, the former Wolves star is now 100 percent recovered and ready to gain more playing time for the Bulls.

However, LaVine’s play has evolved in that he has now become a full-fledged playmaker and ball distributor. And giving him the point-guard duties will relegate the team’s true point Kris Dunn to the background. The question therefore is, should Dunn now become the secondary option?

Coach Fred Hoiberg believes otherwise. He understands that Dunn has proven to be both steady and clutch for the Bulls these past seasons. And even though the Bulls are now technically on rebuild mode, Dunn is an essential piece for the Bulls’ own process. It makes sense to instead pair Dunn up with LaVine, as the latter also has good outside shooting to complement his explosive drives. LaVine needs to embrace his new role as a shooting guard and play more team basketball going forward.

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With the arrival of Jabari Parker and the improved play of Bobby Portis, Dunn, LaVine and celebrated shooter Lauri Markkanen, the Bulls should reach new heights this coming season. We can expect fast-paced basketball now that most of the old veterans have moved on. Again, play development anchored on Kris Dunn is a wise move. If anything, he has already earned his coach’s respect.

Richard Ohlhaberis currently based in the DFW Metroplex. But he was born and raised in Chicago and continues to be a devout Chicago Bulls fan. For similar posts, check out this website.