Coach Budenholzer has already shown a sharp approach with his new roster. In the Suns’ 118-114 win over the Lakers, where LeBron James and his son made history, fans saw the Suns utilize their bench depth. Frank Kaminsky made the most of his limited minutes, aiming to secure a final roster spot in Phoenix.
However, what really stood out was Budenholzer’s use of rookies Oso Ighodaro and Ryan Dunn. Both played more minutes than anyone else in their first game with the team. Ighodaro led with 27 minutes, largely due to an injury to Jusuf Nurkic, but he impressed with his passing and athleticism—attributes that set him apart from Nurkic and Mason Plumlee. Ighodaro’s versatility at both the four and five positions suggests he could offer unique options for the Suns’ offense, and the early playing time was a strong vote of confidence from Budenholzer.
Ryan Dunn, the team’s first-round pick, also received significant minutes, playing 24—the second-most on the team. While he didn’t make as big of an impact as Ighodaro, his time on the court signals that the coaching staff is banking on his defensive potential at the wing. Both rookies are shaping up to be valuable reserve players for the regular season, with Ighodaro, in particular, poised to earn more minutes even without injuries. Expect Budenholzer to rely on them throughout preseason, with one possibly cracking the second unit.
As the NBA preseason unfolds, the Suns’ trio of Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant looks exciting. Interestingly, Beal nearly ended up with the Milwaukee Bucks in a trade for Khris Middleton during the 2023 offseason. On the “Run Your Race” podcast, Beal revealed that the Bucks were close to trading Middleton for him, a move that didn’t sit well with Beal due to Middleton’s role in Milwaukee’s championship win.
Beal, who spent 11 loyal seasons with the Washington Wizards, understands the weight of loyalty, having stayed through ups and downs with the team. Despite his excellent performance, especially after John Wall was traded, Beal and the Wizards reached a turning point in the 2022-23 season when the franchise decided to rebuild, prompting Beal’s eventual move to Phoenix.
