3 underrated free agents Thunder must pursue this summer
By Mark Nilon
![Mar 12, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Smith (25) and Oklahoma Mar 12, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Smith (25) and Oklahoma](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5522,h_3106,x_0,y_185/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/157/01hykccq3z5dq7yfw9dg.jpg)
2. Kris Dunn
With rumors circulating that the Thunder could strongly consider moving on from Josh Giddey this offseason, a side effect of such a plan should be the front office's preparations of pursuing a possible secondary point guard replacement with the capability of competently handling the rock and setting up teammates.
Though he may not be the sexiest of names, throughout his eight-year NBA career, Kris Dunn has often proven himself to be this.
While he may never live up to his fifth overall draft selection from back in 2016, the 30-year-old has morphed himself into a solid journeyman who has seen a number of quality seasons throughout his professional journey.
Far from a player who should regularly be found starting, Dunn is best viewed as a second-unit floor general who can run an offense and set up teammates for scoring opportunities.
ππΌπ΅π» ππΌπΉπΉπΆπ»π: throwing it down
β Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 16, 2024
(courtesy of @KrisDunn3) pic.twitter.com/ZfkNB3Jauy
Since his second season in the association, and excluding his four-game, injury-plagued 2020-21 season with the Atlanta Hawks, Dunn has dished out an average of 4.8 dimes per game and, throughout his career, has posted averages of 5.6 or higher on four separate occasions.
On top of his distribution skills, of late the former Providence star has also seen an improvement in his shooting efficiency, as he's gone on to cash in on 49.7 percent of his attempts from the floor and 39.5 percent from distance over the last two years.
Make no mistake about it, Kris Dunn should by no means be viewed as a game-changing target in free agency this summer. However, at a price range somewhere in the realm of an MLE, he could prove to be a low-risk, sound-reward player who could provide tertiary set-up skills that may be lacking next season should Giddey be sent outbound.