The Phoenix Suns have selected Virginia forward Ryan Dunn with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft (via Denver Nuggets).
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Ryan Dunn is selected 28th overall by the @nuggets in the 2024 #NBADraft presented by State Farm!
Watch on ABC & ESPN. pic.twitter.com/jPg5JY4Ogn
— NBA (@NBA) June 27, 2024
“It’s surreal,” Dunn said in an interview with ESPN’s Monica McNutt immediately after being drafted. “Since I was young, I used to dress up like I was in this stage with my mom in the living room on the couch. So being able to do it tonight, it’s so surreal, and I thank God, I can’t do it without him.”
As reported by Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro, Dunn was first on the list of players that the Suns wanted and also atop our top-five players for the Suns to target. He was even considered a good pick if they stayed at 22. Dunn reportedly worked out for the Suns last week.
Before this selection, the Suns lacked a young, athletic, defensive-minded wing that contributes, which is a premium position around stars in the NBA today. Dunn, who some consider the best defender in the draft, gives them exactly that and comes from a college in Virginia that’s known for defense.
“I think Virginia’s helped me a lot,” Dunn said. “Coach (Tony) Bennett and the coaching staff helped me defensively. Becoming in a role with those guys, just being able to establish my role and be good at my role, that’s what I can do.”
The 6-foot-6, 21-year-old Dunn, who is also one of the best athletes in the draft and has a 7-foot-1.5 wingspan, only averaged one 3-point attempt per game, so he did not really showcase all he can do offensively in college. In his sophomore 2023-24 season, Dunn led the ACC with 2.3 blocks per game and also averaged 1.3 steals to go along with 8.1 points on 54.8%/20%/53.2% shooting splits, 6.9 rebounds and 0.8 assists. Dunn received ACC All-Defensive Team honors.
Despite Dunn’s poor 3-point shooting numbers, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony picked the Suns to choose him in a mock draft a few days ago because of his standout workouts: “Dunn is said to be gaining steam in this range of the draft after a slew of outstanding workouts this month propelled him firmly into the first round. Several teams have said Dunn exceeded expectations with his shooting while also doing some absolutely mesmerizing things defensively in guarding point guards through centers in group settings.”
Last season for Phoenix, there were several players, including Keita Bates-Diop, Jordan Goodwin, Little, Okogie and others that were either traded or benched because they only offered little to nothing offensively despite excellent defense. There is some risk with Dunn if his offense doesn’t translate right away, but this is an area the Suns can work with given his age.
Phoenix also chose to select a defensive-minded wing in last year’s draft in Dayton’s Toumani Camara at No. 52 overall, but dealt him to the Portland Trail Blazers along with Deandre Ayton before the 2023-24 season. Camara would go on to start 49 games for Portland.
Ryan Dunn is the best defensive playmaker in this draft, racking up blocks and steals at unheard-of rates among draft picks historically, with elite physical tools and instincts.
ESPN's best prospects at 20 skills: https://t.co/Qotbmd0WOy pic.twitter.com/T41RuGxYNR
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 10, 2024
Dunn’s impressive physical tools could allow him to slot into a much-needed 1-5 defender role right away for Phoenix with the hope that his offense will improve and that looking back, he will end up being the steal of the draft.
Ryan Dunn to the Suns is perfect.
Potentially an all-world defender. On offense he can screen, catch lobs, cut. This works surrounded by all Phoenix's shooters. He's going to be good, and if the shot develops he has major upside. pic.twitter.com/Hn9l49RAkL
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 27, 2024
Right now, Phoenix has seven players under contract for next season: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkić, Nassir Little and David Roddy. Forbes Sports’ Evan Sidery reports that Eric Gordon will opt out of his player option for next season and that Damion Lee will exercise his player option, while ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski says that Drew Eubanks will opt out of his. According to multiple reports, the Suns are hoping to bring back Royce O’Neale and Bol Bol, who are unrestricted free agents. Josh Okogie’s stance on his player option has not been reported yet, but he is said to love Phoenix, so he could be another returnee.
If Lee, O’Neale, Bol and Okogie are to return, this is how Phoenix’s roster looks now with the addition of Dunn (unconfirmed players in parentheses):
- PG: Bradley Beal, ?, (Josh Okogie)
- SG: Devin Booker, (Damion Lee), David Roddy
- SF: Grayson Allen, (Royce O’Neale), Nassir Little
- PF: Kevin Durant, Ryan Dunn, ?
- C: Jusuf Nurkić, (Bol Bol), ?
Suns general manager and president of basketball operations James Jones is set to talk to the media via Zoom later tonight.
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
