The Phoenix Suns have stumbled into a 3-5 start, but one of the few reasons for optimism has been Ryan Dunn. As Phoenix heads into Monday night’s matchup with the San Antonio Spurs on a two-game winning streak, the third-year forward is quietly carving out a bigger role and giving the Suns something tangible to build on.
Dunn has never been sold as a polished offensive centerpiece. Through his first two seasons in Phoenix, he averaged 19 minutes per game while trying to grow into a dependable two-way contributor. His defense has long been the calling card - the part of his game that made him stand out in the first place - but the offensive side had left him looking more like a limited piece than a long-term answer.
At Media Day, Dunn laid out exactly where his focus had been.
"I think the biggest thing I worked on was shooting and then trying to find more ways to get to the rim and being in more control at the rim, like finishing off two [feet] and playing in that way and finding more footwork to get there"
That work has shown up early this season. Dunn’s field goal percentage is up to 51.5%, and he’s hitting 53.8% from three, though he’s only attempted 33 shots across eight games. The sample is small, but the improvement is real enough to notice, especially for a player whose offensive limitations were once the biggest question hanging over his future.
Phoenix needed that kind of boost on the wing after losing Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale, even with Miles Bridges and Koa Peat joining the mix. Dunn has helped fill that gap for a second unit that needed more reliable production.
His own mindset, though, still sounds like someone who knows the job is nowhere near finished.
"I can't be satisfied."
The numbers behind the eye test are loud. Dunn’s defensive rating of 98.2 ranks sixth in the NBA, and his overall net rating of +24.1 is second in the league.
The Suns, too, look dramatically different when he’s on the floor. Their assist percentage rises from 66.7% to 77.6% with Dunn playing, according to HoopsJunkie, while their offensive rebounding jumps from 23.8% to 29.2%.
Most striking of all, Phoenix has a net rating of +24.1 with Dunn on the court and -18.6 when he sits through the first eight games.
He may not be an All-Star yet, but the Suns are clearly better with him out there. And for a team that has struggled to find steady footing, that matters.
In Other News...
Spurs Suddenly Face A Rotation Problem Ahead Of Suns Matchup
The Spurs will have to adjust their rotation on the fly when they face the Suns, after Devin Vassell was ruled out with left adductor tightness. Vassell has been one of San Antonios steadier contributors this season, averaging 11.9 points per game and playing a major role in the teams eight-game winning streak, so his absence changes more than just one spot in the lineup.
Julian Champagnie is expected to slide into the starting five in Vassells place, giving San Antonio a different look against a Suns team that will be paying close attention to how the Spurs cover for that missing scoring and spacing. For a club trying to keep its momentum rolling, the question now is how well the next man up can absorb those minutes without disrupting what has been working so well. [Read more 🡒]
Suns Win Streak Suddenly Puts One Tough Decision In Focus
The Suns uneven start gave way to a much-needed little surge in the third week of the NBA season, when they went 2-2 after opening 1-5 and finally snapped their drought against the Rockets since the Kevin Durant trade. One of the clearest changes came in the middle, where Phoenix swapped Khaman Maluach out of the starting lineup and turned to Oso Ighodaro at center, a move that has already shown up in the numbers with a positive net rating impact.
Now the bigger question is how long the Suns stick with that look as they head into four straight home games. The offense has also been reshaped by Dillon Brooks taking fewer shots, which has altered the balance of the attack in ways Phoenix will have to keep sorting out while the schedule gives it a chance to build on the recent bounce. [Read more 🡒]
Suns Win Leaves Khaman Maluach Stuck In A Tough Spot
The Suns close win over the Rockets gave Phoenix another reminder of how tight the margins are in a season where every rotation decision matters. Ryan Dunn helped swing the game in a useful spot, but Khaman Maluachs night was a quieter one, the kind that reflects where he sits in the pecking order right now. For a young big still trying to carve out a role, that can be part opportunity and part frustration, especially on a team trying to win now.
Maluachs development is drawing comparisons to Donovan Clingan in Portland, with the two sharing some of the same broad traits but not quite the same level of impact at this stage. The Suns like the idea of bringing him along, but their current competitive goals leave little room for extended experimentation. Every close game pushes the same question a little harder: how does a promising prospect get the reps he needs when the team around him is built to chase results immediately? [Read more 🡒]