Most likely Suns player to be moved by trade deadline should have fans thrilled

There is plenty of optimism around the Phoenix Suns and their chances of making the playoffs again next season, despite the polarizing decision to trade for Miles Bridges.

But when looking at the players who will help Devin Booker make it back to the postseason, one name that never comes up is Ryan Dunn. The forward about to enter his third season in the league to little fanfare.

Dunn will be traded by Suns before trade deadline next season

The painful reality for the 23-year-old is that his time to make a mark with the organization has come and gone, and it is best for both parties to split before the trade deadline in 2027.

From the perspective of the Suns it is not hard to see why this has to happen before then. Their chances of getting even a second round pick back for his services still exist, but that dwindles with each passing month in which Dunn fails to consistently shoot the ball while not developing into an elite defender either.

His Summer League photography initiative was cool though, which makes this even harder as he legitimately seems like a great guy and teammate.

Not helping his case to stay with the Suns is the introduction of Bridges alongside Dillon Brooks, while he does not have the offensive game to force his way into the conversation as a real "3-and-D" threat who can space the court.

If anything Dunn's failure to develop in that area has opened the door for Jamaree Bouyea to have an unexpected role in The Valley. Sophomore center Khaman Maluach looks primed for more run, while Oso Ighodaro managed to achieve what Dunn could not in carving out a role for himself last season.

The player himself should also want out of Phoenix ASAP, because his next stop will give him the opportunity to prove he can be a rotation player in the league. If he is stuck to the bench under head coach Jordan Ott for all of next season, finding another team to go and contribute on will become much harder.

Dunn looks like the ideal coach Ott player off the bench as well, which makes the fact this hasn't worked out sad.

But with the Suns clearly trying to win as proven by the Bridges trade, they simply don't have the time to give to Dunn to see what he can be anymore. The introduction of Koa Peat was the likely final nail in the coffin here, as already he looks more like an Aaron Gordon type compared to Dunn's inability to become the next Mikal Bridges, even for 10 minutes a night.

Time for a fresh start for all involved, but hopefully Dunn can find a home in the NBA.

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