CHICAGO _ Before the Bulls season started, guard Kris Dunn promised to readily accept whatever role he was asked to fulfill. Thirteen games into the season, coach Jim Boylen can see Dunn was being honest.
"It's one of the biggest stories of the season," Boylen said. "Sharing your minutes, giving up your starting spot and still helping the team function at a high level. His decision to have great role acceptance is huge."
In a season-low 16 minutes in Saturday night's 117-111 loss to the Nets, Dunn supplied two steals, five rebounds and two assists. He missed all three 3-point attempts, picked up three quick fouls and turned the ball over twice.
Dunn ranks third in the NBA with 2.3 steals per game, making a defensive impact in only 20.2 minutes per game off the bench.
Boylen said he sees Dunn's team-first mentality as something that can benefit Dunn's future _ even if that future is not with the Bulls.
"He's created value for himself," Boylen said. "All 30 teams are looking for a guy who takes a role and runs with it. Nobody is expecting you to always like your situation, but your job is to do your role ... I think it's a great example to the league."
It was clear Dunn's role would be diminished when the Bulls acquired Tomas Satoransky in a sign-and-trade deal with the Wizards and announced him the starter during the preseason. They also drafted Coby White and re-signed Ryan Arcidiacono.
Asked if he would like Dunn to remain on the Bulls roster rather than be traded, Boylen was vague.
"I like all of our guys," he said. "We don't have those conversations like that. We have a young, developing team that is learning to play together. That's what we talk about."
