Benched Suns player making compelling case to start again for team

Despite the Phoenix Suns having some rough patches so far this season, there's no doubt that they're a better team when compared to the roster they had in 2023-24. They also have a better head coach in Mike Budenholzer as well, who has kept this group moving forward.

Any franchise that can add Tyus Jones, Monte Morris and Mason Plumlee - while drafting a pair of rookies in Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro who can actually help - is going to be improved, and having three All-Star level players to lead them each night (when healthy) only adds to that.

Don't forget about Grayson Allen though, who is making a case to start.

Allen did just that in the absence of Bradley Beal in the recent win over the Golden State Warriors, a situation he is all too familiar with. Last season he stepped up with Beal limited to just 53 regular season contests, and he led the league in 3-point shooting at 46.1 percent in the process.

Allen willingly gave up his starting spot to point guard Tyus Jones ahead of this season, in a move that everybody agreed with. The issue with that however - and this only became apparent after the fact - was that Royce O'Neale has stepped up to become the Suns' sixth man. Which has seen Allen fall through the cracks in the rotation.

The Warriors game was a timely reminder of what he can do though, going 3-of-6 from deep and chipping in with 17 points in 32 minutes. A stark contrast from the 10.7 points in 23.1 minutes he's managed in 15 games so far this season. That was also Allen's first start, and it was among his best displays in 2024-25.

It could just be that he needs to be in from the start to warm-up sufficiently, Allen certainly wouldn't be the first player who feeds off his own confidence. But every time he is given more responsibility, he tends to be exactly what this team needs. Even last season he was their third best player across the regular season, although that was down to Beal's inability to stay healthy.

Which is why it is hard to see Allen getting many more chances to start when this group is fully healthy. The prospect of bringing Beal off the bench in his place is an interesting one, although he too has looked as good as ever since landing in Phoenix. Allen is an underrated defender - but when Beal is on it as he has been this season - he is the better of the two even in that area.

It just seems a shame to have an elite shooter who signed a four-year contract prior to the playoffs beginning last season waste away on the bench with no clear role for him there. As it is his trade value has taken a hit as well - and even though it would not be hard to find a home elsewhere for Allen even now - demand for his services has surely lessened around the NBA.

To end on a positive for both player and team though, the Suns at least know they have a capable backup in Allen when players get injured. Which Beal will continue to do, and even Jones may be forced to sit out some over the course of a long season. Allen then is a luxury player for the organization, and he will continue to push for more run when he is given a chance to start.