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Grading the Atlanta Hawks’ Signing of Kris Dunn

By Dallin Duffy

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 20: Kris Dunn #32 of the Chicago Bulls waits for a free throw during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 20, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 20: Kris Dunn #32 of the Chicago Bulls waits for a free throw during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 20, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Grading the Atlanta Hawks’ signing of Kris Dunn.

The Atlanta Hawks made their splashy free agency move on Friday, signing former OKC Thunder forward Danilo Gallinari. A day later, they made a smaller, but perhaps just as important move, signing former Bulls guard Kris Dunn.

Simply put, Dunn makes a ton of sense for Atlanta. The Hawks were seen as one of the worst defensive teams in the league last season (and the season before that). Meanwhile, Dunn was seen as one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA.

The former fifth overall pick is an absolute clamp artist on defense, able to lock up multiple positions with ease. He narrowly missed making the 2019-20 All-Defensive Team and many agreed that he was snubbed from that list.

The Hawks just slapped a Dunn-colored band-aid right over their biggest weakness and that baby is going to stick tight.

Although you do have to talk about the downsides of Dunn. There is a reason the Hawks were able to snag him for relatively cheap (two years, $10 million). Offense, specifically 3-point shooting, is a major Achilles heel for him.

He made just 25.9 percent of his long-range shots last season, showing no fear of letting them fly (2.2 attempts per game). He’s also not much of a playmaker. He can dribble like you’d expect an NBA guard to do but it’s nothing showy and he averaged just 3.4 assists in 2019-20, his lowest since his rookie season.

He uses his athleticism to throw down a few dunks and is dangerous in transition, but it’s safe to say he’ll be making most of his additions on the other end.

He’s seen mostly as a point guard, but given his defensive versatility, could easily play as a two-guard alongside Trae Young. With the team also signing Rajon Rondo to seemingly fill the backup point guard role, that’ll likely be Dunn’s key position.

He can certainly take defensive pressure off of Young, who does struggle on D. His role on offense is much more of a question mark but Young, John Collins and Gallinari (among others) can help pick up slack for him.

Overall it’s a fantastic move and one that really makes sense for Atlanta. Don’t expect Dunn to make an All-Star Game anytime soon, but do expect to see him make the Hawks a better overall team.

Grade: A

Next. 3 Things Danilo Gallinari brings to Atlanta. dark

What do you think of the Atlanta Hawks’ signing of Kris Dunn?