3. Can Suns sign-and-trade Grayson Allen?
Allen was thrown in the Damian Lillard trade, despite playing nearly 30 minutes per game for the Bucks in the playoffs last season. The 6’4 wing is an elite shooter, but nobody expected him to rise to these heights in Phoenix.
Allen is averaging 13.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 0.9 steals in 33.6 minutes per game. He leads the NBA by shooting 46.9 percent from 3-point range and all of those stats are career-highs. The 28-year-old is just entering his prime and Suns head coach Frank Vogel cannot take him off the floor.
Allen is in the final year of his contract and will be looking for a significant raise as an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Suns have $190.2 million committed in salary before re-signing Allen or Royce O’Neale. Suns owner Mat Ishbia has deep pockets, but the 6’4 guard may command around $20 million per season after a career year. If paying Allen becomes too much, can they work out a sign-and-trade to get something in return?
The Phoenix Suns need talent and cannot afford to let one of their best players go with nothing to show for it. Expect the front office to try to re-sign him. If they cannot work out a deal, sign-and-trade options will be on the table. It may not be what fans want to hear, but it could become reality.