It’s not the rookies that intrigue me the most; it’s the return of Dunn. Duh, duh, Dunn.
Many of us Phoenix Suns fans know that Ryan Dunn has done enough to give us hope for a bright future as a role player within the organization. Dunn has shown flashes of growth throughout last season, though he has also had moments of regression. His passion and hustle are undeniable, and his commitment to improving will reveal itself more clearly over time.
On Friday night, when the Suns face the Washington Wizards in their first Summer League game, all eyes — especially mine — will be on Dunn.
Why?
Suns rookies Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, and Koby Brea are all names we’re eager to watch as they get their first real test against NBA competition. But for me, Dunn is the most intriguing.
Earlier in the year, I didn’t see much of a future for him in Phoenix. I was underwhelmed, maybe because the entire season felt underwhelming at times. But now, with a clean slate in the Summer League and a renewed focus, Dunn has the chance to change that narrative and make believers out of skeptics like me.
From the photos and pre-Summer League interviews, I like what I’m seeing from Dunn. He looks more mature, physically stronger, and sounds ready to make a statement. Did I say mature? As you’ll see in the video below, he’s still the same guy who loves being around the media and his teammates, joking, laughing, and keeping the energy light.
Oso Ighodaro said that he and Ryan Dunn are moving into “more of a leadership role” for Suns’ Summer League team in Las Vegas this year. They were the Suns’ draft picks in 2024z
Ighodaro also said he’s gained 12 pounds of muscle this offseason. pic.twitter.com/t03jUnbOoL
— DANA (@iam_DanaScott) July 8, 2025
Most importantly, when it comes to Jordan Ott and the new-look Suns, Dunn has already begun exploring what next season might look like, as he’s one of the few returning players.
Ryan Dunn on coach Jordan Ott: “Like O said, we’ve been coming here at night, and he’s been in his room watching film. And first day he got here, he called me, he said, ‘Come to my office,’ and we sat for 30, 45 minutes and just talked about the system that he wants to play” pic.twitter.com/Q2QjoUfML1
— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) July 9, 2025
Spending time in the gym is important, but having a clear mind and a sense of direction heading into next season is just as critical, especially for a second-year player. No one in the NBA is guaranteed anything, but Dunn looks poised to carve out an important role this season as a versatile defender. And with a full offseason to develop, there’s hope we’ll see some progress with his three-point shot.
Remember, when he was drafted, I assumed that, given Dunn’s work ethic, his outside shot would naturally improve, right?
He averaged just 6.9 points per game last season, shot 31% from three, and even slipped a bit on defense. It was the kind of rookie year you’d expect from someone adjusting to the grind of an 82-game schedule, where stamina, confidence, and consistency are tested nightly.
And already back at it, in his first practice back, he could feel the fire in his legs and the shortness of breath as he tried to keep up.
Asked about pressuring the ball more on the perimeter under Jordan Ott, Ryan Dunn said: “The first practice when we did it, I felt gassed. My legs were heavy, I was like, ‘Oh, I haven’t done this in so long.’ But it feels good getting back out there and getting that pressure” pic.twitter.com/ult8wScUYW
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) July 9, 2025
But that’s the thing with Dunn. He’s not going to wow you with the box score. His value shows up in the details: body language, defensive engagement, and how he holds up against the toughest matchup on the floor. That’s where his impact is measured.
So on Friday night, I’m not looking for a 28-point, 12-rebound explosion. What I do want to see is a player who stands out in other ways, because out of everyone playing in the Summer League, Dunn might just have the most on the line.
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