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Timberwovles Newcomer of the Year: Kris Dunn

By Cooper Langby

Mar 24, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA: Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kris Dunn (3) drives with the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the first half of a NBA game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA: Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kris Dunn (3) drives with the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the first half of a NBA game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kris Dunn has won the first ever Dunking With Wolves’ Newcomer of the Year award.

Kris Dunn, the only rookie on the Minnesota Timberwolves roster, takes this award over the other Wolves’ newbies Jordan Hill, Cole Aldrich, Brandon Rush and Omri Casspi.

Hill, Aldrich, and Rush all signed with the Timberwolves as free-agents in the offseason. Casspi was brought to the team in March after being released by the New Orleans Pelicans.

Dunn, who was selected with the fifth pick in last year’s NBA draft, was thrust into a starting position just three games into his NBA career after an injury to Ricky Rubio.

The Wolves won by 36 in their first game with Kris Dunn at the helm. Dunn ended up starting five consecutive games for Minnesota before Rubio returned from injury and back into the starting lineup.

It was incredibly early in Dunn’s career to be placed in charge of running the ball and it’s obvious Tom Thibodeau had a lot of faith in him.

Since Rubio returned from injury early in the year, Kris Dunn has only managed two further starts; a sign that Thibodeau believes Dunn still has much more to learn before taking the reins. If Thibodeau believes Dunn is developing off the bench, then we should believe him.

Dunn averaged 3.7 points in 16.9 minutes per game this year. He had a quite low shooting percentage making only 37.7 percent, including 29.6 percent from the three-point line and 61 percent from the free throw line.

However, Kris Dunn has proven in many games that he is capable of developing into something great.

In two of Dunn’s starts, he managed ten points and four times off the bench he has surpassed ten points as well.

Dunn’s current high of 17 points came in 28 minutes while shooting 61.5 percent from the field. That includes 50 percent from the three-point line in that game.

Kris Dunn has totaled nine assists twice this season and in his first start, he managed five steals. He has also totaled three blocks on two separate occasions and has a career-high eight rebounds in one game, not bad for a point guard.

We also shouldn’t forget that he recorded a steal in thirteen consecutive games from March 8th through April 1st.

Kris Dunn has proven through his stats that he can play very well.

He classes himself as a pass-first guard, similar to Rubio. If Dunn can provide the same opportunities Rubio can, then he’s on the right track.

Dunn has proved through the season he has good handles and can find a player in a position to score, both great qualities of a point guard.

Kris Dunn proved he could contribute to an NBA team this season.

Dunn showcased his potential at times and also highlighted areas for himself to work on with the training staff.

If Dunn puts the effort in during the offseason, he should see more minutes next year and we will see greater productivity from him.

Dunn deserves the Dunking With Wolves’ Newcomer of the Year award due to the great promise he has shown throughout the year.

Compared to all the other Wolves’ newcomers, he is likely to stick around the longest and contribute the most.

Related Story: Timberwolves' 2016-17 Season Eulogy

Kris Dunn has great potential and if Thibodeau believes it’s true, he will develop into a star guard. We may just be looking at the Minnesota Timberwolves’ point guard of the future.

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