Coach Jim Boylen still has more than two weeks to make a decision on a starting point guard.
If Monday was any indication, he’ll need every bit of that time.
Kris Dunn was given the starting nod in the preseason opener against the Bucks and didn’t do anything to hurt his chances, but he certainly didn’t run away with the opportunity.
The same could be said for the other candidates during the Bulls’ 122-112 loss to Milwaukee at the United Center.
Boylen unleashed his arsenal of point-guard hopefuls, running Tomas Satoransky out there with the second unit and with several of the starters, as well as rookie Coby White.
Even Ryan Arcidiacono earned some first-half minutes before both teams started going deeper into their benches in the second half.
Overall, there were a lot of OK moments for the hopefuls but nothing spectacular.
“This [point-guard situation] is a work in progress,’’ Boylen said. “This team is a work in progress. So, yeah, we’ll have different lineups. [Monday] morning, we were feeling out our lineups and looking at them. We had 11 different lineups we want to look at. . . . This team has versatility. What I’m hoping for is durability and availability. That’s what we’re looking for.’’
Also, don’t read too much into Dunn getting that first look.
The Bulls play the Pelicans on Wednesday, and it sounds as if Satoransky will get his turn. Dunn was being rewarded for a renewed attitude as well as a solid work week in camp.
“I want to see [Dunn] play efficient basketball,’’ Boylen said. “I want to see his decisions be solid. I want him to be the most dominant defensive player on the floor. And I want him to accept coaching, which he’s been great at. And I want that to keep going.’’
The Bulls were quite honest with Dunn in the player exit meetings, letting him know that they would be adding point-guard help this offseason.
Sources told the Sun-Times that Dunn didn’t exactly embrace that scenario and appeared to want out.
Guess who went home, reflected and checked back in.
“That’s what I took the summer for, to assess,’’ Dunn said, admitting that he initially didn’t adopt the best attitude about his situation. “It allowed me to clear my mind to be a better player for this team and also a better teammate. I understand that. I know it’s a talented group. And I want to be a part of that.
“I feel like I have a great support system, and I understand myself. I know I have to make sure I have a clear mind always. That’s when I’m at my best — when I have a clear mind. Whatever I need to do to make that happen, I’ll do it.’’
In his opening argument against the Bucks, Dunn scored 11 points and shot 5-for-8 from the field, even making a three-pointer. He added three assists and three steals and had only one turnover.
Satoransky scored only two points but grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. He also led the Bulls with five steals and had three assists.
White scored 12 points but was only 3-for-10 from the field and had two turnovers.
As far as Boylen was concerned, the pack is still in a pack.
“I would think that’s a fair assessment,’’ Boylen said. “We’re going to take these two weeks to look at everybody and figure it out.’’
