2. Grayson Allen
The Suns had worked out a deal with the Blazers to swap Deandre Ayton for Jusuf Nurkic, but Phoenix had to wait to find out that Allen would be coming to the Valley of the Sun. They were overjoyed to get him. The 6’4 wing is a career 39.5 percent 3-point shooter who offers some scoring and playmaking chops. Allen is known as a “dirty player”, but that did not stop the Suns from eagerly acquiring him.
Phoenix will be significantly restricted on roster additions moving forward. When the second tax apron penalties kick in, the Suns will not have their mid-level exception and are limited to adding only minimum contracts in free agency. They are also unable to aggregate salaries in trades and restricted from using trade exceptions.
The Suns’ best bet is to spend significantly right now and just add minimum-salary veterans to help them contend. Allen is making $8.9 million in the final year of his contract, and Phoenix should lock him up long-term at a modest salary.
Grayson Allen has his flaws, but the Phoenix Suns will be unable to add a better player. His defense is questionable and his impact in the playoffs shrinks, but the Suns need shooters around their stars. Allen is elite there and will be impactful in Phoenix.