Jazz G Kris Dunn ‘Forever Grateful’ for Opportunity in Utah
It ended up being a formality, but Utah Jazz point guard Kris Dunn is now under contract with the Utah Jazz for the 2023-24 season. The former 2017 lottery pick will make 3.32 million this season but, more importantly, is on track to sign a long-term deal moving forward.
Dunn spoke on Utah signing him on the Roundball Roundup podcast for the upcoming season.
“I’m forever grateful for the Utah Jazz,” Dunn said. Give me the opportunity since last year with the 10-days, and you know, Will [Hardy] and the staff, even my teammates just allowing me, you know — last year to play my game and get comfortable — and everybody, you know, welcome me with open arms, so I’m definitely grateful.”
Last season, it appeared Dunn was signed for the short term to fill a roster spot due to the departure of Mike Conley and injury to Collin Sexton.
However, Dunn more than held his own when given the opportunity. In 22 games with the Jazz, Dunn averaged 13.2 ppg while handing out 5.6 assists. Considering last year’s leap, there’s no reason to believe there may be more room to grow.
Dunn’s preseason performance made keeping him in Salt Lake City easy. He averaged 8.0 ppg on 85.7% shooting from the field in five games of action in just five games. It‘s a small sample size, but it’s been clear for a while that he belongs in an NBA rotation.
The question moving forward is where Dunn fits in Utah’s long-term plans? Playing time to start the season won't be easy until Utah makes a trade to clear up the log jam currently in their backcourt.
Where it stands today, it appears Talen Horton-Tucker, Jordan Clarkson, and Collin Sexton are at the top of the depth chart. That leaves Dunn, Keyonte George, and Ochai Agbaji battling for the remaining minutes.
Answers are coming soon on how head coach Will Hardy will juggle the rotation with Utah’s season opener scheduled for October 25 versus the Sacramento Kings at the Delta Center.
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