Suns Expected to Target Royce O’Neale and Kris Dunn Contracts in Free Agency

Veteran point guard Kris Dunn could be a target for the Phoenix Suns this season, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, while veteran forward Royce O’Neale looks set to return, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

Givony referenced how Phoenix once again has its hands tied from a selection perspective, allowing the team to move on from the No. 22 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

“Trading back to restock their depleted stock of assets (especially future picks) is another option the Suns’ front office would consider, due to the severely limited mechanisms the team has to add talent with the punishing new second platform rules that will come into effect this summer,” he reported.

Those same factors make it imperative to retain O’Neale.

Phoenix can go over the salary cap to maintain the 6-foot lead. If he were to leave, the team wouldn’t be able to make the same type of contract offer to an outside free agent. Scotto reported that he was expected to get a contract. three- or four-year deal for about $10 million per year.

In terms of additions, the draft would be a simple mechanism for the Suns to address their obvious need for a point guard. Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman predicted they would take USC’s Isaiah Collier in his latest mock draft.

The downside to Collier — or virtually any prospect in the second half of the draft — is that there’s no guarantee he can make a positive contribution to a team that wants to win now.

The Trojans star averaged 16.3 points and 4.3 assists on 3.3 turnovers in 30.0 minutes per game. He also shot just 33.8 percent from beyond the arc. His draft stock steadily declined as the 2023-2024 season progressed.

Dunn wouldn’t be an ambitious signing, but obviously has much more experience and certainty in terms of what he would deliver. In 66 games with the Utah Jazz this past year, he scored 5.4 points and 3.8 assists per game. His 36.9 percent clip on three-pointers wasn’t great, but well above his career average (32.3).

The Suns pulled off one of the biggest blockbusters last summer when they acquired Bradley Beal. It will inevitably be a much quieter offseason this time around.