Suns have finally found replacement for Grayson Allen should they trade him

The Grayson Allen comeback tour in Phoenix has taken us all by surprise this season, and the only reason it has slowed in recent games is because of a right contusion issue that should hopefully clear up soon.

So good has Allen been that the idea of trading him now when his value has never been higher is an intriguing one for the front office. There’s a delicate balance to get right there however, as the 30-year-old is integral to the surprising start we’ve seen from the Suns.

Royce O’Neale is ready to step into Allen’s role.

Enter Royce O’Neale, who this season has formed an unexpected and potent tandem with Allen on the court. The elite 3-point shooting of both is the reason why, although let us not forget that the duo start when healthy and the team have been above average defensively when that happens.

The pair’s highlight on that end surely keeping Victor Wembanyama quiet in a victory over the San Antonio Spurs earlier this season. But head coach Jordan Ott needs to think about what he wants this roster to look like in future, which is where the importance of O’Neale arises.

Cashing in on Allen at the right time to get some assets for the future is crucial, and the older O’Neale can act as a bridge between this version of the team and the next. He might be two years older than his teammate, but this season is almost matching the 3-point output of the more celebrated Allen.

O’Neale getting up 7.3 attempts each night - with the absence of Allen helping that number trend upwards - converting on a career high 43.9 percent of them. The only other time in his career he’s gone above 40 percent across a campaign? Last season in The Valley, so clearly O’Neale is comfortable getting them up in Phoenix.

Allen meanwhile is taking a career high 8.8 efforts from 3-point range, and his own 44.7 percent is in the realm of the 46.1 he averaged in his first season with the organization which led the entire league. For those who argue that perhaps it is O’Neale who should be moved before the deadline, you’re not entirely wrong.

He just holds less value given he’s that bit older, although he is making less money than Allen across the next two seasons. His four years and $44 million considerably less than Allen’s four years and $70 million, although the former Milwaukee Buck does have a player option in that final year.

It is clear O’Neale can thrive under coach Ott and does 80 percent of what Allen can do, while he’s currently not as injury-prone either. If Allen’s time in Phoenix does come to an end before the deadline, they won’t miss a beat with O’Neale taking his place.