Ryan Dunn is making a case for himself in Phoenix, and the people around the Suns are noticing.
Through the first three preseason games, the third-year forward has averaged 4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 19.4 minutes per game. That stat line still leaves room for growth, but it’s been enough to turn heads inside the locker room, where teammates say Dunn is showing real progress heading into a season that could bring him a bigger role.
“Ryan’s making a huge leap right now, huge leap, especially on the defensive end," Suns guard Jordan Goodwin said of Dunn (via ClutchPoints' Hayden Ciley). "His physicality.
I think he's starting to use his athleticism. It's starting to help him out now.
"I think he's starting to understand his spots and on the offensive end. He’s being perfect.
He's awesome. He's making rebounds, getting plays, hitting treys, rebounding.
But yeah, he’s doing all the right things right now.”
That has shown up in the rotation, too. Dunn has been on the floor ahead of Rasheer Fleming in all three preseason games, even though Fleming appeared to be lined up as the backup power forward behind Miles Bridges when camp opened. That hasn’t been how things have played out.
Fleming hasn’t taken the step forward Phoenix was likely hoping for after his rookie season. He’s averaging 2 points on 18.2% shooting, along with 4 rebounds and a steal in 19.1 minutes per game. Dunn, meanwhile, has brought the kind of energy the Suns value under Ott, even if his shot hasn’t dropped yet - he still hasn’t made a 3-pointer in the preseason.
Ott said he wouldn’t label this a direct fight for the last rotation spot, but he made clear that both players are getting every chance to show more over the final preseason stretch.
"We need all the reps we can get right now with those two guys that worked incredibly hard over the summer and now you've got to put it into action," Ott said last week (via The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin).
"Both have been bright spots at times and then it's times where it's like, 'Okay, we've got to speed it up. How do we speed it up as fast as possible?'
They both have added strength. You can see that.
They both bring different super powers to the table and we've got to continue to bring them out.
"They've got to be the possession guys. They've got to be elite defenders.
I think Ryan has taken some of those steps where he's more solid on the basketball right now. Rasheer still has incredible hands, incredible length.
He's got to know when he's in the middle of the floor, he can't probably use it as much ... (these) are all good reps. So we'll take all five (preseason) games with those young guys."
There are still real questions here. Dunn’s offense hasn’t caught up yet, and Fleming still has more development to do. But the bigger picture is encouraging for Phoenix, which didn’t have this kind of forward depth last season.
Rookie Koa Peat could also end up in the mix if injuries pop up or Dunn and Fleming don’t clean up the weak spots in their games.
For now, the Suns have enough size and flexibility to go 10 or even 11 deep, and that leaves them sorting out who fits best as the top bigger wing off the bench. That process will continue in the final two preseason games, starting Wednesday night against the San Antonio Spurs.
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