Why the Phoenix Suns shouldn't trade Grayson Allen

The Phoenix Suns are starting to find their rhythm this season. Their "Big 3" of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal have all been available in the past few games, slightly showing off their potential. The Suns have won seven of their last ten games. This trend is helping their chances of finishing at a decent position in the Western Conference standings.

One of the players who stood out during this stretch was Grayson Allen. The two-way wing has been a reliable asset for them in significant moments. During their 119-117 comeback win against the Sacramento Kings, Allen led the team in scoring. He finished with 29 points, five rebounds, and six assists while shooting 64 percent from beyond the arc.

In their ten-game stretch, Allen has been superb for the Suns. He registered 15.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, making 53 percent of his attempts from the three. With his impressive outing lately, trade talks around him have started to surface. The former Duke guard is having a breakout season in Phoenix, and that's the reason why trade talks have emerged.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports recently proposed a trade involving the Suns player. According to Fischer, Phoenix needs a versatile wing that could help the team's goal of contending for the title. Allen is in the final year of his two-year, $18 million contract extension he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in the summer of 2022.

The Suns have Allen's Bird Rights, which means they can pay him more than any other team once free agency hits. But given his production this season, he could command a bigger payday. Phoenix might be unable to re-sign him to a new deal this summer. The team already has three players earning over $30 million this season alone. The team is over the salary cap and can only sign players on minimum deals for a while.

With Allen's case, it's only logical for the team to start looking around for possible trades for him. It's better to get something in return rather than letting him walk away for nothing. These are all valid reasons why the Suns should start exploring trade options for the 6-foot-5 guard.

However, Allen's value should be enough reason for the Suns not to get rid of him at the deadline

Firstly, Allen has said that he loves playing for the Suns. Most players give similar answers whenever the team they're playing for starts to pick up its pace.

""My name has been in someone's tweet every year since I've been in the league. I hardly pay any attention to it... I love playing here this season. I love playing with this team. I don't want to be traded.""

- Grayson Allen on trade rumors

For the sharpshooter, he's having the best year of his career so far. The Suns are maximizing Allen's talents as a shooter this season. He's part of the 50-40-90 club for the first time in his career. The wing is leading the league in efficiency from outside the arc, making 48% of his threes.

Allen has found a role with the Suns where he can thrive and be valuable to the team's system. Since entering the league, many see him as dirty. Back in college, he was known as an excessively physical player. But the 28-year-old guard has elevated his game with Phoenix, which is why he's enjoying his time playing for them.

Rumors around the team's interest in trading for him stemmed because Phoenix wanted a versatile wing. Looking at the roster, they already possess a versatile wing in Allen. Although the Suns have a Big Three that features Beal, many can argue that the former Milwaukee Bucks guard is the team's third-best player.

He's fourth in scoring and has been available for most of the year. Throughout the season, Allen has handled the ball and made opportunities for his teammates. On top of that, he creates shots and defends at an elite level. If that's not versatile enough, I'm not sure what the Suns want more from their players.

His value goes beyond shooting highly efficient numbers. The NCAA champion is now an all-around player whom teams can rely on to make the right decision. Allen is a notable player in the Suns' success in this year's campaign.

The trade deadline is slowly approaching, and the Suns should seriously consider keeping Allen as they finish the season. Trading him away would cause another adjustment from the coaches and the players, which they probably won't enjoy. He enjoys playing for the team, and the fans have grown to love him. With that, Phoenix's best option is to keep him until the season ends.