PHOENIX — Ryan Dunn’s rookie year was a lesson in how quickly momentum can shift in the NBA. The Phoenix Suns’ second-year forward started his first training camp and preseason with confidence, but as the year wore on, his minutes and impact dipped.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!This season, Dunn’s path is clear and heavier. With Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal gone, the 22-year-old will start full time at power forward, tasked with guarding bigger wings and battling on the boards. It is a role that will demand both added muscle and consistency.
The cliche sophomore slump is a common phenomenon, but the 22-year-old showed plenty of maturity during his Summer League performance, averaging 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 37.5% from the 3-point line. Despite all the new pieces and coaching staff, Dunn has all the tools to have significant bumps to all of his counting stats.
Dec 19, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) against the Indiana Pacers at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Projected 2025-26 stats
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Minutes: 29.3
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Points: 9.7
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Rebounds: 4.7
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Assists: 1.2
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Shooting: 45.4% FG, 36.3% 3PT
Mar 24, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) celebrates after a play during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Dunn will be a full time starter for the franchise and will be forced to play at the power forward position and guard bigger wings. He’ll have to put on some more muscles to endure much of the physicality on the boards for Phoenix. The different role will give him more minutes and allow him to attack the glass on both sides of the ball.
The former 28th overall pick will still be slightly below double figures, as his veteran teammates Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Grayson Allen and even Jalen Green have a better understanding of their offensive game to score. Dunn often gets compared to past Suns wings like Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson, neither of them reached doubled figure scoring until their third season.
Apr 13, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) and forward Ryan Dunn (0) react during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images
The focus for Dunn will be working on his efficiency, in his first 10 games of his rookie season he shot 37.8% from the perimeter. As the season progressed, his shooting percentage took a hit, but the scoring increased significantly. In the final 16 games of the season, Dunn averaged 11.1 points and 5.7 rebounds on 42.9% shooting.
The 6’6 wing illustrated during the final stretch of his rookie season that he is capable of being a double-figure scorer. Regardless, the new coaching staff and personnel surrounding Dunn could hinder his production early on, but similar to last year, as the season progress he’ll find his groove into a respectable sophomore campaign.
Suns stats prediction for players in 2025-2026 season: Devin Booker
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
