We all know the Phoenix Suns are going to trade Kevin Durant this summer, but that is far from the only move the franchise will be hoping to make. Although owner Mat Ishbia would surely love to move on from Bradley Beal, his no-trade clause means that is not happening. As for this rotation player? He'll likely be back in Phoenix once again next season, and you can understand why.
But according to Jake Fischer on his latest over at The Stein Line, two other players who could be on the move are Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale. Doing so would ease the financial burden on the organization as they struggle to get out of the second apron, a fact which crippled their ability to make any deals at the deadline last season and ultimately cost them Jimmy Butler.
Moving both in the one offseason is not the best course of action.
While much will still depend on the haul gotten back in return for Durant's services - and it is not going to be what you think - the reality is for a lot of teams the numbers will have to work to get Durant to their city. This could mean the likes of Rudy Gobert heading to The Valley in return, a strange concept and one fans would not be thrilled with.
Which is why they should keep one of O'Neale or Allen on the roster next season in what is surely going to be a transition period for the team. Even more so when you consider they will also have a new head coach in Jordan Ott running the show as well. It was not that long ago that Allen was the third best player on the roster for an entire season.
Any team could use Grayson Allen !! https://t.co/iSWCmjoU3Y
— 𝘼𝙖𝙧𝙮𝙖𝙣 (@AaryanS19) June 14, 2025
During that period he led the entire league in 3-point shooting (46.1 percent), and was everything the Suns needed with Beal battling injuries. Last season did not go well for Allen, but that was partly because he lost his starting spot to Tyus Jones, struggled with some niggling injuries of his own and couldn't find a rhythm off the bench.
There is no reason to think he couldn't rediscover some form with a clearer path to more minutes next season, although the argument to trade him and not O'Neale is also compelling. Both players are on the books for the next three seasons, although Allen has a player option on the final year of his deal. The highest number he will be paid is just over $19 million in that final year.
If the Suns remain stuck in salary cap hell, Allen gives them access to players on bigger contracts as they can't take back any more money than they'd send out in a deal. Contrast that with O'Neale, who for the next three years will never make more than $11 million in a season. He is also three years older than Allen having just turned 32, but his fit with the team was much better last season.
The front office should keep him - both because of his own shooting and proven fit next to Devin Booker - and have him be their sixth man from the jump. Moving on from Allen and getting less back in return - with maybe a pick in there as well - would have the Suns feeling a lot better about their financial situation for when Durant then leaves too. Trading both would be a big mistake.