PALM DESERT – Ryan Dunn is on so many billboards and promotional posters for the Phoenix Suns, it’s probably no surprise they would pick up the team option on him.
The Suns announced on Thursday, Oct. 2, that they are exercising their third-year option on Dunn after seeing him have a solid rookie season in 2024-25.
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“I don’t want to say I’m trying to prove anything to anybody,” Dunn said during Suns media day last month. “I’m just trying to improve my game overall in every aspect that I can.”
The Suns had until Oct. 31 to pick up the third-year option on Dunn, who is in the second year of a four-year deal for $12.9 million.
Dunn is due $2.7 million next season. The Suns have a club option on his fourth year for $5 million that expires Oct. 31, 2026.
“Going out, competing, running a little bit more,” Dunn said after training camp practice on Oct. 2 in Phoenix about the upcoming season. “Learning the game more, being more aggressive offensively, defensively. Just being a leader, being vocal and live with the results. Trust the process.”
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The Suns open preseason play Friday, Oct. 3, against the Los Angeles Lakers in Palm Desert, California.
The 2024-25 Dan Majerle Hustle Award winner, Dunn averaged 6.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in 74 games. He shot 43% from the field, hitting 31.1% of his 3s.
Dunn started 44 games.
Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn shoots hoops during the second day of training camp at Verizon 5G Performance Center in Phoenix on Sept. 26, 2025.
The 28th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Virginia, Dunn became the third Suns rookie to post at least 80 made 3s (82) and a combined 80-plus steals (44) and blocks (40).
Leandro Barbosa and Mikal Bridges are the other two.
Barbosa made 83 shots from distance and registered 93 steals and seven blocked shots in his rookie year in 2003-04. Bridges connected on 105 3s and delivered 129 steals and 38 blocks in 2018-19.
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Dunn also competed in the Rising Stars Challenge during NBA All-Star weekend last season at Chase Center in San Francisco with Golden State as the host team.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns pick up contract option on defensive stopper Ryan Dunn