Bulls name Tomas Satoransky the starting point guard over Kris Dunn

Not that it came as much of a surprise on Wednesday, but coach Jim Boylen will go with Satoransky in his starting lineup, while Kris Dunn will come off the bench.

The worst kept secret of Bulls training camp was made public on Wednesday, as coach Jim Boylen finally announced his starting point guard.

And just like that the Tomas Satoransky Era has officially begun.

Satoransky, who was acquired in a sign-and-trade with Washington this past summer, has won the starting job for Boylen, joining Zach LaVine in the backcourt, as well as Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter Jr. and Wendell Carter when the Bulls take the floor next week in Charlotte for the regular-season tip-off.

“I love the way he throws the ball ahead,’’ Boylen said of the decision to go with Satoransky. “I love his command of our offense already. He’s obviously a terrific shooter. He can play off those guys, he can play on the ball and off those guys and create space. Him and I have a real good connection and he’s got a really good feel, and I feel confident in him running that first group.’’

So what now for Kris Dunn?

In the eyes of the Bulls – fair or unfair – he was given two starts in the preseason to make his case, but they just didn’t see the ball movement and versatility with Dunn that they saw with Satoransky.

The stat that stuck out the most through the four preseason games? Dunn was a combined minus-10 in plus/minus when he was on the floor, while Satoransky – who only played in three games – was a combined plus-30.

“I’ve been happy with both of them,’’ Boylen said. “I think this is what’s best for our team, and I think it will be great for both of them individually. Kris has to be kind of our defensive force in that second group. He had 11 deflections and six steals against Indiana, so he can impact the game coming off the bench. He’s embraced it, he’s all about winning, and I’m really proud of him.’’

A reaction that could have been very different for Dunn a year ago.

Dunn, who was acquired in the Jimmy Butler deal back in 2017, has always been very public with the fight he was willing to put up to keep his starting job. When the Bulls met with Dunn in the exit meetings after last season, they informed him that point guard competition would be added.

According to a source, Dunn’s initial reaction was he not only checked out, but wanted out. The Bulls did have discussions for a Dunn trade this summer, but didn’t feel they were getting fair value back.

There was concern that Dunn could come into training camp and be disruptive not only on the court, but off of it.

Instead, Dunn admitted that he went home, and his family helped him get back to a very clear way of thinking about the entire situation.

What the Bulls have gotten from Dunn the last month is a guy that is team first, saying all the right things.

“I do think that he’s in a really good place,’’ Boylen said of Dunn. “I do think he had some introspection and got some time away, and it was good for him. He said it, we’ve said it, he’s prepared to help the team win, and that’s his mindset. That’s what we need.’’

As for Satoransky, his mindset is to do whatever it takes for the starting unit to have success.

“I try to run the team, put them in the best position where they can succeed,’’ Satoransky said. “Run with pace. Keep spacing. Try to organize the team. That’s what I’ve been trying to do for my whole career. And do the little things.’’