There were many takeaways from the Phoenix Suns' 2024-25 media day, but by far one of the biggest talking points centered around Grayson Allen. In his first opportunity to speak to the media at large since the arrival of point guard Tyus Jones this summer, Allen was quick to say he had no problem now coming off the bench.
This kind of selfless attitude exactly what the franchise are going to need if they want to achieve their goals this coming season. Despite having a career year last season - with highs in points, rebounds and assists - Allen is going to drop to the bench and likely be the sixth man, while the Suns trot out a trio of guys in Jones, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
But he could start again soon thanks to one key offseason development.
That would be the outrageous bulk that Allen put on, telling reporters that he's now up to 230 pounds. Miles above the 195 he was listed at last season. You don't even need to go back to his opening interview to see the change in his body, seriously just look at the image that accompanies this article instead.
If we assume that the bigger frame Allen now boasts isn't going to slow him down in any meaningful way or change how he shoots the ball - and it shouldn't - then head coach Mike Budenholzer might have a tough decision to make before long. Which is that Allen might quickly become too good - and frankly versatile - to not have with the starters.
This is a great problem to have, but even the most optimistic fan has to admit that Jones, Booker and Beal are not a great trio of guys to have together on the defensive end. Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic can mask a lot - but out on the perimeter especially - the Suns are going to get cooked by elite scorers.
.@GraysonJAllen: Full time bucket getter, part time philosopher 💬 pic.twitter.com/4G5B3OVYv6
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 2, 2024
Allen was already at best an above average defender, and last season outperformed expectations in that role. When he was out on the court, the team held firm in their defensive rating as they finished 12th in the league (113.7), and allowed 113.9 points when Allen was out there. Considering he split his time playing with some of the bench unit, this is a solid return.
So it may be that if Jones is getting picked on because of his height or Beal doesn't have it - Booker is going to turn in probably the best defensive campaign of his career to date - Allen is quickly going to become an appealing option. At this rate he looks like he could even body up the likes of Jayson Tatum and Jalyen Brown, which had not been the case in the past.
As an interesting subplot - assuming Allen can put up close to the league-leading 46.1 percent from deep he managed last season - imagine having him playing at the four in smaller lineups. He now has the physicality to bang with these bigger players, while on the other end of the court he'll drag forwards away from the paint, a place where a lot of them are more comfortable defending.
This could even lead to a group consisting of Jones, Booker, Beal, Allen and Durant, which is extremely exciting offensively and if nothing else is quicker and can switch a bit more easily on the other end of the court. The Suns don't have another traditional center like Nurkic - and he's really important to a lot of what they do - he was just exposed in the playoffs last season.
All of this because Allen added a ton of muscle during the summer, and it could present coach Budenholzer with the first genuine headache of his tenure. No matter where Allen plays he's going to succeed with this group - and the real beauty is he'll willingly slot in anywhere - but in some ways he'll feel like a new player if he can combine his shooting with a more physical style of play.