ESPN’s Givony: Suns to consider Kris Dunn in free agency, trade back in draft

In a new mock draft posted Monday, ESPN NBA Draft expert Jonathan Givony reported the Phoenix Suns could look at Utah Jazz free agent Kris Dunn to find a rotation point guard potentially.

The Suns might look more to free agency to explore adding a point guard to their roster, with Kris Dunn one potential option that rival teams expect them to look at.

Dunn was a rumored target of the Suns during the 2016 NBA Draft cycle with Ryan McDonough still at the helm, which saw Phoenix end up with forwards Dragan Bender (No. 4) and Marquese Chriss (No. 8). The point guard went one pick after Bender to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Although he didn’t show ideal top-five returns, Dunn showed early promise, averaging 12.4 points, six assists, 4.2 rebounds, and nearly two steals per game over his second and third seasons.

The next three years were rocky, playing fewer than 70 games and averaging just seven points and 3.7 assists per game. Still, in 88 games playing for a really good Utah Jazz coach in Will Hardy, he appeared to turn things around over the last season and a half, contributing meaningful point guard play that could help the back of Phoenix’s rotation.

Playing strong point-of-attack defense, Dunn had three games with at least 10 assists last season. Only Devin Booker (11) and Kevin Durant (four) had more among Suns. Bradley Beal had two games while Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen each had one (both were career-high marks).

Givony also said the Suns are considering trading back to acquire more moveable assets.

Trading back to resupply their depleted stockpile of assets (especially future picks) is another option the Suns’ front office is said to be considering, due to the severely limited mechanics the team has to add talent with the punitive new second-apron rules that go into effect this summer.

The Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New York Knicks are some teams that could make sense as trade partners.

Utah: Picks 29 and 32

Minnesota: Picks 27 and 37

New York: Picks 24, 25, 38

The potential Utah package appeals most to me, because of the value of that second pick being much higher than the other two teams’ second-round picks.

Phoenix could reroute the second pick to acquire a backup center to replace Drew Eubanks, who is reportedly declining his player option.

What does a dream scenario look like for you when the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft rolls around on Wednesday?