Jordan Spurgeon
The 2024 free agency period is underway following the 2024 NBA Draft last week.
The Suns don’t have much room to make moves in free agency, but James Jones believes Phoenix solved some rotation minutes through the draft.
After trading down from the 22nd to 28th pick, Jones and the Suns selected forward Ryan Dunn. Then a trade up in the second round was used to select big man Oso Ighodaro at No. 40.
Both provide defensive potential that the Suns need this year and beyond.
They had their first chance to speak to the local media and the Player 15 Group employees.
“Today is a good day because I get to introduce two of the newest members to the Phoenix Suns family…Could we increase the competitive nature of our team. It was evident these two guys fit the bill.”
🗣️ James Jones on Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro pic.twitter.com/Lp0HKicpSJ
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 2, 2024
“I look forward to the defensive challenges this year,” Dunn said about his potential to guard some of the best hoopers in the league. “I know there will be times where I get torched, but that’s part of it and I’m ready to get after it.”
Dunn told the media and everyone in attendance that he isn’t worried about his jump shot, despite it being a focal point topic in every meeting with every team in his redraft process.
No many rookies get to enter the league on a team with three star players and have the opportunity to earn playing time. Based on the current roster construction, both will have chances to seize important roles.
“I look forward to competing against those guys [Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal] everyday,” Ighodaro said. “The challenge of facing them everyday is only going to make me better as the season goes on.”
In a scrum following the press conference welcoming Dunn and Ighodaro to the Valley, James Jones says the new G-League team plays a role in how he navigates the draft now.
“It’s a huge shoutout to Mat [Ishbia] for making that happen,” Jones said. “When you don’t have a place to keep developmental players close to us, it’s hard to sign more rookies through the draft and free agency.”
“We believe we got everything we wanted [in the draft] plus some,” Jones said during the press conference.
There are still a few roster spots for Phoenix to fill in free agency. Many believe a veteran point guard, like Kyle Lowry, is going to be a requirement in order for this team to succeed. Jones said he’s looking at the best players, no matter the position.
It will be difficult to add impact players on the veteran minimum. But, there is still plenty of time left in free agency, and some trades could be on the horizon.
