Our player preview series for the 2025 Clippers season continues with Kris Dunn, the projected backup point guard and defensive ace.
Basic Information
Height: 6’3
Weight: 205 pounds
Position: Point Guard
Age: 30
Years in NBA: 8
Key Stats: 5.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.2 turnovers in 18.9 minutes per game across 66 games played (32 starts) on 47/36.9/68.8 shooting splits.
Contract Status: Year one of a three-year, $16.2 million deal signed this offseason in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz.
Expectations
Kris Dunn has been a player that’s been on Clippers fans’ wishlist for quite some time. He was a standout for their G League team and used that to get back to the NBA following a somewhat underwhelming first few years in the league amid injury issues.
Since then, he’s been one of the better backup point guards in the NBA with improved offensive efficiency. That’s all the Clippers will expect from him. Somebody to come in and steady the second unit, play defense, and maybe get a couple of buckets here and there.
Strengths
If there was a theme to the Clippers offseason, it was defense. Most of their offseason acquisitions have built their NBA careers on the defensive end of the court. Defense is certainly Dunn’s biggest strength. He can guard multiple positions, applying pressure on the ball-handler and forcing turnovers.
He’s a very good ball-handler too. A steady hand who can run an offense and create good looks for his teammates. Talent-wise, he is not Russell Westbrook, but he might be the most steady backup the Clippers have had at the one in recent seasons.
Weaknesses
Offensively is where Dunn can struggle a bit. Early in his career he was never a particularly efficient shooter. He’s made strides on that end though. The past two seasons with the Jazz he shot back to back career-highs in three-point percentage.
Dunn’s a smart player who won’t stray too far from his role/limitations. The Clipper should hope for Dunn to be a legitimate catch and shoot threat this season.
Summary
Quite frankly, this move has the possibility of being one of the best free agent signings of the offseason. Clippers fans are certainly happy about Dunn’s addition. The team is built differently this year than any team in the 213 era. Defense first is their mindset and Dunn fits right in to that philosophy.
This Clippers team is going to be scrappy and will look to grind wins out rather than outscore their opponents. Depending on where the Clippers finish in the standings and whether he logs enough minutes, Dunn could finally get consideration for one of the All-Defensive teams.
