{"id":182839,"date":"2026-03-24T07:49:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T11:49:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=182839"},"modified":"2026-03-24T07:49:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T11:49:02","slug":"ty-lue-addresses-clippers-upcoming-kris-dunn-contract-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/03\/24\/ty-lue-addresses-clippers-upcoming-kris-dunn-contract-decision\/","title":{"rendered":"Ty Lue Addresses Clippers’ Upcoming Kris Dunn Contract Decision"},"content":{"rendered":"

At one point, Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn<\/a> looked like he was going to be a bust. Selected fifth overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, he averaged a mediocre 3.8 points per game for the Minnesota Timberwolves as a rookie. He was then traded to Chicago Bulls, where he began to conflagrate. Over the next two seasons, his physical tools and playmaking instincts buoyed averages of 12.4 points, 6.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game.<\/p>\n

However, Dunn was routinely forced out of the lineup due to injury. Between the 2018-19 and 2020-21 seasons, he was diagnosed with (i) a moderate MCL sprain<\/a>, (ii) cartilage disruption<\/a> in his right knee, and (iii) loose cartilage<\/a> in his right ankle. He played just 101 games during that three seasons stretch. Now having to prove that he could stay healthy as well as perform, he had to take a circuitous route filled with G League and 10-day contracts to get back in the mix. Since 2023, he hasn’t looked back.<\/p>\n

Clippers HC Ty Lue: ‘As Long As I’m Here, I Want Kris Dunn’<\/h2>\n

After being acquired (via sign-and-trade<\/a>) in 2024, Dunn’s started in 127 of the 153 games he’s played for the Clippers. His defensive acumen allowed him to complement James Harden<\/a> (who has a negative reputation at that end) in the backcourt. However, even when he’s coming off the bench, he’s left his imprint on the game.<\/p>\n

For that reason, Clippers head coach Ty Lue says that he wants Dunn around “as long as I’m here.”<\/p>\n

Speaking to reporters about whether he feels a responsibility to ensure the potential 2025-25 NBA All-Defensive Team member’s contract is guaranteed through next season (h\/t Justin Russo of Russo Writes<\/em>), Lue quips: “He’s gonna be guaranteed regardless.”<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s gonna be guaranteed regardless. \u2026 As long as I\u2019m here, I want KD,\u201d Lue replied.<\/p>\n

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Kris Dunn\u2019s $5.7 million contract next season becomes guaranteed if he makes All-Defense. Asked Tyronn Lue about the responsibility of making sure guys have that opportunity to reach incentives: \u201cHe\u2019s gonna be guaranteed regardless. … As long as I\u2019m here, I want KD.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/cm9uZjy3BX<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) March 24, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n