Suns' Third-Year Wing Facing Make-or-Break Season

The Phoenix Suns currently have a much stronger outlook moving forward compared to just a year ago, with promising players that are essential to the youth movement playing roles in the recent rise. 

Rasheer Fleming, Khaman Maluach, Koa Peat, and Oso Ighodaro are all considered essential to the Suns returning back into contention - but one piece has become more of an enigma over the last 12 months.

Ryan Dunn is simply facing a massively consequential 2026-27 season - his third in the NBA - after underwhelming in year two. The 29th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft flashed immense potential in his rookie season before flatlining over the course of the 2025-26 campaign. 

It's no secret that his future hinges in what happens over the five-game preseason and 82-game regular season, as the aforementioned members of the youth movement will combine with incomer Miles Bridges and returnee Dillon Brooks to take up a majority of minutes at the forward positions. Dunn has to demonstrate tangible growth in these two different crucial areas on the court to salvage his future with the Suns. 

First - and perhaps most crucial - is Dunn continuing the progression that he has displayed as a three-point shooter over two seasons as a pro. The Virginia product shot a meager 23.5% from behind the arc over two seasons in college, but has managed to lift that mark at the NBA level to 33.1% over 70 appearances last season. Improved mechanics, an elevated sense of confidence, and a relatively high volume of "open" looks have contributed to this.

Secondly, Dunn must become a legitimate off-ball threat - whether in transition, cutting to the hoop in halfcourt settings, or as a screener. The 6'6" forward is an exceptional athlete and needs to be more assertive when showcasing the traits that have been gifted to him. Growth in this department would perfectly compliment his projected improvement as a shooter and connector in year three.

All in all, Dunn needs to transform into a more well-rounded offensive player to compliment a defensive profile that labels the 23-year old as one of the most versatile defenders across the NBA. The limitations on offense currently hamstring just how much runway Jordan Ott can have on a game-by-game basis - the onus is now on the former first round selection to make a sizable leap forward for Phoenix.