Suns' open practice promotes their new G League team to fans at ASU's Mullett Arena

Arizona State's Mullett Arena will have a new tenant within the next few weeks filling the Arizona Coyotes' void .

On Saturday, the Phoenix Suns held their annual preseason open practice showcase for fans at the venue, also to promote their new G League affiliate Valley Suns , which begin their 24-game home schedule on Nov. 11 at Mullett in Tempe.

“It feels good to have an opportunity to come out here, let them see this side of everything," Suns' backup point guard Monte Morris said. "At the end of the day, it just shows how loyal these fans are, and we’re just happy to come out and give them a light up-and-down to see what we got.”

Fans maxed out the free event to see Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and their teammates run weaves and scrimmage for three quarters over the Valley Suns' mid-court logo and get the G League team's apparel.

Mullett Arena's 5,000-person capacity is less than a third of the 17,000-plus in downtown Phoenix's Footprint Center where the Suns play and have held their past open practices. But fans such as Phoenix native Jerry Hernandez, who brought his 10-year-old niece Daisy Tijerina, felt the rousing energy at Mullett Arena matched Footprint Center in anticipation of the 2024-25 season.

“It’s a good atmosphere. It feels the same just about," Hernandez said. "I’m glad what they’re doing here, too, even this open practice. I feel like it’s gonna attract a lot more people this year as well with what happens with Valley Suns.”

In addition, the Valley Suns will be easier access for Suns fans to see their two-way players such as guards TyTy Washington Jr., Collin Gillespie, and rookie Jalen Bridges play and develop at Mullett. That's a shorter distance than the Suns' previous G League affiliate Northern Arizona Suns, which were located two hours away at Prescott's Findlay Auto Center. The Northern Arizona Suns were sold to the Detroit Pistons and then renamed Motor City Cruise in 2021.

The Suns' resident playlist curator and turntablist DJ Automatic told The Republic that he believes Footprint Center is "the best arena in the NBA," and that Mullett Arena's going to be "the second-best arena in Phoenix" after the Valley Suns begin play. He assessed the arena's acoustics for the music he plays, which includes hip-hop classics, contemporary pop hits, house, and EDM standards.

“I was very impressed with the (sound) system here. I'm impressed with the arena. They're gonna have a great season, the Valley Suns. It's gonna be a great place to watch basketball," DJ Automatic said. "It’s a little more intimate than the 17,000 but I like it because it gives us that one-on-one with the people."

The open practice was similar to a college basketball team's midnight madness practice to start the season. That's familiar for Suns rookie Ryan Dunn, who came out of Virginia in June's NBA draft after his sophomore year.

“I miss it a little bit. It’s still more college, like I’m back on the college court, but I’m glad to be wearing this jersey and having that (Suns) logo on me now," Dunn said.

This scenario is totally different for Dunn as the Suns wind down their preseason, in which they finished 3-2, and will start the regular season at the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

“Getting ready to learn how the real season is a different monster," Dunn said. "Preseason was cool. Now, it’s time to figure out what can I do throughout the season. Long journey, long way, long process just to learn and build and grow, ask questions but don’t be afraid to take action moving forward.”

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns' open practice promotes their new G League team to fans at ASU's Mullett Arena