Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 trade targets to fill the backup point guard void

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Atlanta Hawks guard Kris Dunn drives. (Photo by Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports) /

Cavs potential backup PG target #2: Kris Dunn

Drafted fifth overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, Kris Dunn looked to be the player to complete the Minnesota Timberwolves’ rebuild. Instead, just five years later, a limited offensive game and injury issues have him still searching for a steady role in the NBA.

After an All-Defensive-level season with the Chicago Bulls in 2019-20, Dunn signed a 2-year, $10-million deal with the Atlanta Hawks. As stated earlier, injuries essentially took him out of the rotation, and with the acquisition of Lou Williams, Dunn’s time with the Hawks may already be over.

Dunn has a $5 million player option that he has until July 28 to make a decision on and seeing as his market may be low in free agency due to his limited play, it would make sense for him to accept it. That would in turn give him the opportunity to improve his free agency interest for the following offseason as a healthy campaign similar to his Bulls’ one in 19-20 could help put him back on the radar.

A potential trade for Dunn would be cost-efficient for the Cavaliers, likely costing them someone like Damyean Dotson and a protected second-round pick if needed. This move would save the Hawks about $2.5 million for an offseason where they could look to be aggressive.

For the Cavs, Dunn’s defensive abilities would help an area that was lacking at times for the team. Many can envision that Dunn’s role would be similar to that of the one he had during his time with Chicago, guarding the opposing team’s top perimeter players while using his quickness on the offensive end to be a slasher and create for others.

Looking at his fit alongside Darius Garland or Collin Sexton in spurts, his on-ball opportunities could increase at times seeing as both of the team’s young guards can operate without the ball. As an off-ball player, players could find Dunn slashing as this is a strong suit of his — during that 19-20 season, Dunn shot 64.7 percent at the rim.

A move like this would be a low-risk, high-reward one for the Cavs and would give Dunn an opportunity to find that steady role that he has been searching for.