The Phoenix Suns have started the season with one of their key players in Jalen Green missing - and although he could soon return from a hamstring issue - he has been joined on the sidelines by another summer acquisition in Mark Williams. The 23-year-old center already appearing to be on a load management schedule and missing back-to-backs, despite it being so early in the season.
The hope is that Green could even return as soon as a road meeting with the Utah Jazz, while Williams should also feature in that game as well. That would make the Suns fully healthy for the first time this season - including preseason play - and it will bring with it another problem for head coach Jordan Ott to solve.
How will Phoenix fit Grayson Allen into their plans?
Allen has had a strange career in The Valley, and at 30-years-old and in his third season is somehow the second longest tenured player after Devin Booker. In his maiden campaign he led the entire league in 3-point shooting, and outperformed Bradley Beal for large stretches (he's your problem now Clippers).
In a bigger role this season, I think people are going to realize again just how good Grayson Allen is. pic.twitter.com/sBOLF8ZTmV
— Suns Are Better (@SunsAreBetter) October 23, 2025
Last season was a down year, as a combination of ankle issues and willingly giving up his starting spot to point guard Tyus Jones meant Allen never found a rhythm. He also bulked up to a Marvel like level, and he looks to have worked some of that off as well. General Manager Brian Gregory singled him out for praise at media day - and in the early goings - it is not hard to see why.
Allen has once again been dependable, starting in Green's place and even leading the Suns in assists (seven) in their opening night win over the Sacramento Kings. Despite many thinking he didn't have the height or defensive chops to play alongside Devin Booker in the backcourt - and having Ryan Dunn and Dillon Brooks out there with you helps - Allen has begun the season extremely well.
Yet when Green returns, he is going to be the one who has to drop to the bench. You could keep him with the starters instead of Dunn, but the Suns would then be small and easier to score on. Staying out there in place of Brooks isn't going to happen either, given how quickly he has become the emotional leader of this group. Even if his shot selection leaves a lot to be desired.
Which is a shame because despite the tiny sample size, he was taking a whopping 12 field goal attempts per game, by far a career high. Allen had also begun the season shooting 37.5 percent from deep - and most importantly of all - he looked comfortable with that added offensive responsibility. That is all going to go away again, and we've seen him drop off badly in the past.
Coming off the bench he will once again be battling Royce O'Neale for minutes, not ideal as the pair have similar skill sets and keeping them separated usually works out best for everybody. This could see Allen once again fall through the cracks, at a time when his trade value was on the up and so too were his contributions to the team. A tough break.