Ryan Dunn has been nothing short of amazing for the 2024-25 Phoenix Suns.
Dunn has brought a rare energy to Footprint Center. His style of play brings a passion that resonates throughout the fanbase, reminding fans of the ‘Twins’ era of Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson.
Similarities aside, can Ryan Dunn pave his own path to win the 2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year?
Defensive savant
It’s worth noting that Dunn is now the Suns’ premier point of attack defender. Although he is a rookie, he has been given some of the toughest defensive assignments to start the season, guarding on-ball greats such as Luka, LeBron, and Harden. In his first four games, Dunn held NBA All-Stars to a field-goal percentage of 26.3%, an unbelievable accomplishment for the 21-year-old rookie from Virginia.
Though it’s a small sample size, Dunn must continue to prove himself to be recognized as a truly elite on-ball defender in the league. Dunn has put himself in Rookie of the Year talks, but how does he thrust himself into the favorite spot?
How can he get it Dunn?
Within NBA trophy awards, there lies an unwritten statistical threshold.
Fortunately for Dunn, there has yet to be a rookie to snatch the award-winning momentum through offensive counting stats. Although it is still very early.
In the last 20 NBA seasons, only one player has accomplished the Rookie of the Year award while averaging less than 15 points per game (a threshold Dunn is unlikely to cross). That rookie? Malcolm Brogdon of the 2016-17 Milwaukee Bucks. Brogdon played a pivotal role off the bench for a talented Bucks team. The 36th pick averaged 10.2 points while shooting 40.4 percent from three.
Ryan Dunn’s current role heavily mirrors the situation Brogdon experienced as a rookie. A Budenholzer bench piece that brings tenacious point-of-attack defense. There is inherent value in a player like Dunn—a rookie wing with a clear and defined role.
Dunn should expect clear instruction on what helps him succeed, as well as his team. Brogdon benefited from this exact scenario, contributing to winning basketball while putting up just enough counting stats to claim the award. Although it helped that Brogdon started 28 games, there is a scenario in which Dunn can and will have a similar opportunity.
What Has He Even Dunn?
Dunn recently started his first NBA game, facing off against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. Dunn scored 13 points, knocking down three of six threes while forcing difficult shots from Doncic on the defensive end. A performance like this could give the rookie momentum early in his first NBA season.
The all-defensive worthy performances have helped mightily with his early campaign. In his matchup with LeBron James, Dunn shined with moments of shutting down the Lakers’ leader. He was forcing turnovers, causing ugly missed shots, and dismantling entire possessions.
In light of these recent performances, Dunn continues to be pivotal to Phoenix’s success moving forward, ultimately accelerating the ceiling of this Suns team. Dunn provides Phoenix with lineup flexibility while being a reliable, and switchable, defender.
So, You’re Saying There’s A Chance?
Without a prolific scoring rookie coming out of the woods, Dunn should expect himself to slowly creep up the Rookie Ladder.
FanDuel has Dunn ranked eighth in ROY odds (+1600) — after not being included in initial odds post-draft. Edey continues to lead all rookies with +500 odds, remaining fairly unchanged from the preseason.
There’s momentum, slowly, but surely. Here’s the three-pronged approach to Dunn taking home some hardwood:
Health – Dunn has to be available, 75-ish games played, 25-ish minutes per game, no questions asked. There have been so many instances of great rookie campaigns being shut down early due to injury. For Dunn and Phoenix’s case, availability is a must.
Shooting – If the Suns rookie can continue to find success from beyond the arc, defying all critics in his pre-draft process, there will be significant benefits on the court. Similar to Brogdon’s rookie season, shooting as close to a 40-percent clip can clean up any unpolished offensive ability for a young off-ball wing.
Defense – This is vastly important—Dunn has the potential to become an All-Defensive level player as early as his rookie season. From guarding elite guards and forwards to switching onto bigs in some instances, Dunn can find himself gaining momentum in ROY conversations through huge defensive performances night in and night out.
If everything comes together, Ryan Dunn can go from the 28th pick out of Virginia to a full-blown elite ‘3&D’ role player in a matter of months.
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