Suns GM Brian Gregory working on proving to fans he was hired on experience not friendship
“I’m going to be held accountable to the success of this team,” Brian Gregory said.
Phoenix Suns rookie Ryan Dunn fell short of being named to the NBA All-Rookie first or second teams, receiving one first-place vote and seven second-place votes.
The first and second teams for the 2024-25 season were announced on Tuesday, May 20, on the NBA PR X account.
Establishing himself as the team’s primary perimeter defender, Dunn averaged 6.9 points on 43% shooting and 3.6 rebounds in 74 games. He was up and down on 3s, shooting just 31.1% from distance, but Dunn grew overall as a player and defender throughout the season.
The 6-8 forward punched out better numbers in his 44 starts: 9.4 points a game on 44.8% shooting (32.3% from 3) and 4.5 rebounds. His rookie highlight was dunking over Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in Phoenix’s upset win, 108-106, March 24, at PHX Arena.
The Suns acquired Dunn out of Virginia late in the first round of the 2024 draft in a trade with Denver.
Considered the best defender in the 2024 draft, Dunn guarded the likes of Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic, Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, New York Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson and many more of the NBA’s best players this season.
Dunn started the season playing major minutes, then went through a stretch of hardly playing at all, but received significant playing time in the last two months of the season. He scored a career-high 26 points in the team’s home finale Phoenix won April 11 over the San Antonio Spurs at PHX Arena.
Dunn replaced Bradley Beal in the starting lineup Jan. 6 at Philadelphia as then Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said he was looking for the right combinations to help turn their season around.
The Suns were 15-18 at the time when Beal was benched for Dunn, who scored 15 points, going 3-of-6 from 3, in that start as the Suns topped the 76ers, 109-99.
Dunn was selected as an injury replacement for the Rising Stars tournament for NBA All-Star weekend in San Francisco. He helped Team Chris win the tournament and scored eight points in a loss to Team Shaq on NBA All-Star Sunday, Feb. 16, at Chase Center.
Dunn came out of the break with confidence and momentum, but only played in six of Phoenix’s next 10 games, logging seven, six and two minutes in half of those six games, respectively.
“My 1st thought process was him. He’s thrown in the fire and mix of everything. He doesn’t really get to enjoy starting as a young rookie in the league. That’s big. Everybody is so caught up in my shit and whatever is going on.” Bradley Beal on-court moment with Ryan Dunn #Suns pic.twitter.com/JyyqCkzq0j
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 7, 2025
Dunn then averaged 26.1 minutes in his last 17 games, churning out 10.7 points a game on 42.8% shooting and 5.5 rebounds during that stretch.
Those numbers are comparable to what NBA All-rookie selections Memphis Grizzlies guard Jaylen Wells and Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington produced this season.
Wells averaged 10.4 points on 42.5% shooting and 3.4 rebounds in 79 games (74 starts) for the Grizzlies. Earning first team. Wells averaged 25.9 minutes a game.
Carrington averaged 9.8 points on 40.1% shooting and 4.2 rebounds in 30.1 minutes a game. Playing all 82 games, Carrington made second team as he started 57 games.
The NBA All-Rookie first team consists of Spurs guard Stephon Castle, the league’s rookie of the year, Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher, Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr, Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey and Wells.
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan, New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi, Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware and Carrington made second 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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