Ranking Top 7 draft busts with the No. 5 pick in lottery era

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Kris Dunn, Minnesota Timberwolves. Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images /

Draft Bust No. 6: Kris Dunn, 2016

Jumping ahead a decade, we get to Kris Dunn in the 2016 NBA Draft. The Connecticutt native stayed close to home in college, playing for the Providence Friars for four seasons, although he missed most of his sophomore season due to injury. Dunn was a two-time Big East Player of the Year and a Consensus second-team All-American his senior season in 2016.

Dunn’s defense heading into the draft was viewed as a true weapon, and that has absolutely come through. Dunn averaged 2.1 steals per 36 minutes as a rookie with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and for his career has averaged 2.2. He also has enough athleticism and speed to provide some shot-blocking as well. He was, and still is, one of the league’s best point-of-attack defenders.

The problem is on offense, and it’s a big problem. His decision making has always been a major issue, offsetting any playmaking abilities he has; not only does he turn the ball over a lot but he has generally had poor shot selection too. His 3-point shot never came around. For his career he has shot just 43.2 percent from the floor and 31.3 percent from deep, and those numbers just won’t cut it for a lead ball-handler.

Dunn is still in the league and trying to reclaim his career. He was traded from the Timberwolves after his rookie season and spent three years with the Chicago Bulls, but since he has barely clung to the league. This past season he appeared in 22 games for the Utah Jazz and shot 47.2 percent from deep on limited attempts. He has a chance to play himself off of this list if Dunn, who just turned 29 years old, can prove himself a useful role player.

Just Missed: Jamal Murray went two picks later and clearly would have been the better point guard to take. Domantas Sabonis, Pascal Siakam and Dejounte Murray are other All-Stars to come from the draft. Including both Murrays and Malcolm Brogdon, Dunn was no higher than the fourth-best player at his position to come out of the 2016 draft.

Pistons that Year: 2016 wasn’t a great draft for the Detroit Pistons either, as they used the 18th overall pick on Henry Ellenson, a stretch-big from Marquette who played just 83 games in the NBA. Michael Gbinje, the team’s second-round pick, made it to the floor in just nine career games.