Ryan Dunn will get one final chance to impress with the Phoenix Suns this season after Mark Williams' shoulder injury, but do not be surprised if the franchise eventually waives him. That may seem like an unthinkable outcome for a former first-round pick who is only entering his third season in the league, but there are now several clear reasons for the Suns to seriously consider this option.
Dunn taking up valuable roster spot despite failing to produce
The first is their success with subsequent picks, which only increases the likelihood that taking Dunn was a mistake. Oso Ighodaro was a second-rounder in the same draft, and he is quietly becoming a key piece in The Valley. Then there were last year's selections in Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming, who, alongside Ighodaro, all occupy minutes across the front line (The very place Dunn is also vying for some run).
Finally incoming rookie Koa Peat already looks like an Aaron Gordon regen - and although many hoped Dunn could be this team's version of Mikal Bridges - that never happened. Look for the new youngster to immediately jump Dunn in the queue for minutes if the team play more small-ball lineups as a result of Williams' injury.
The other clear reason for Phoenix to cut their losses with Dunn is the fact that they continue to find players who have been cast away elsewhere and turn them into valuable contributors.
Jordan Goodwin, Collin Gillespie, Jamaree Bouyea, and Haywood Highsmith have all earned the right to a bigger role in The Valley, while Pat Spencer could be next. The Suns have brought Duop Reath to training camp as cover for Williams, and in order to sign him outright, they will likely have to waive either Bouyea or Highsmith.
Only both of those guys have produced in ways Dunn never has, and although he will survive this round of cuts, at some point, the front office will have to accept that its fantastic ability to sign cast-offs and turn them into rotation players is being stunted by Dunn taking up a valuable roster space.
Dunn can save career with consistent 3-point shot
The picture would change entirely if Dunn could become a consistent 3-point shooter, but outside of small pockets, that has never happened.
If he were able to become a truly elite wing defender, which, in theory, is still in play, then that too would ease the pressure on the 23-year-old. But with the Suns needing to win as many games as possible as long as Devin Booker is in town, they can't be carrying guys who fail to contribute.
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