ESPN's Givony: Suns consider Kris Dunn in free agency, trade in draft

In a new mock draft released Monday, ESPN NBA draft expert Jonathan Givony reported that the Phoenix Suns could turn to Utah Jazz free agent Kris Dunn to potentially find a point guard in rotation.

The Suns could look more toward free agency to explore adding a point guard to their roster, with Kris Dunn a potential option 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 left with forwards Dragan Bender (No. 4) and Marquese Chriss (No. 8). The point guard made a choice 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 during his second and third seasons.

The next three years were rough, playing less than 70 games and averaging just seven points and 3.7 assists per game. Yet in 88 games played for a very good Utah Jazz coach, Will Hardy, he seemed to turn things around over the last season and a half, contributing significant point guard play that could help the team’s backcourt. Phoenix rotation.

Playing solid defense at the point of attack, Dunn had three games with at least 10 assists last season. Only Devin Booker (11) and Kevin Durant (four) had more for the Suns. Bradley Beal played in two games while Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen each had one (both had career highs).

Givony also said the Suns are considering moving back to acquire more movable assets.

Trading to replenish their depleted asset stock (especially future picks) is another option the Suns front office would consider, due to the very limited mechanisms the team has to add talent with the new punishing rules of the second apron that goes into effect this summer.

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

Utah: picks 29 and 32

Minnesota: picks 27 and 37

New York: choices 24, 25, 38

Utah’s potential package appeals to me the most, as the value of this second pick is much higher than the other two teams’ second-round picks.

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

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