The Phoenix Suns were panned far and wide for their decision to trade for Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges earlier this offseason. Surrendering an unprotected 2033 first-round pick was a big reason why, but shipping away sharpshooters Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale also has the potential to backfire.
That tandem made an eye-popping 371 3-pointers combined a season ago, a figure that even free-agent signee Luke Kennard can’t replace by himself. Allen was responsible for 159 of those treys despite playing only 51 games due to injuries. In many ways, Allen put together a career year. He could make Phoenix look rather foolish if he thrives in a similar role with Charlotte.
Grayson Allen can make Suns look silly if his play doesn’t fall off
A veteran talent, Allen is now on the wrong side of 30. The Duke product has battled a number of injuries throughout his career, playing more than 70 regular season games in a year only twice.
Yet, despite his age and health woes, Allen remains one of the league’s best outside shooters when he’s able to play. Although his 3-point percentage took a significant dip last season, down to 34.9 percent from 42.6 percent and a league-leading 46.1 percent in the two seasons prior, that was accompanied by a huge increase in volume.
The most 3-pointers per game Allen had ever attempted entering last season was 5.9. Last year with Phoenix, he hoisted 8.9 attempts per contest from long range. That was not only by far the most of his career, but would also have ranked Allen No. 3 in basketball if he played enough to qualify for the leaderboard (only Luka Doncic and LaMelo Ball shot more triples on average).
Kennard, by contrast, who is effectively replacing Allen in The Valley this coming season, only attempted 3.1 looks from distance a season ago split between Atlanta and LA.
Kennard will have big shoes to fill, as Allen did much more than shoot for Phoenix a season ago. The veteran dished out a career-high 3.8 assists, nabbed (by far) a career-best 1.4 steals per game, and added three rebounds on average to the box score.
Kennard wasn’t nearly as impactful in those other areas, averaging 2.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.7 steals per game.
Allen has always been known for his elite shooting prowess, but his other contributions, especially last season, tend to get overlooked. If he keeps making that big of an impact in Charlotte with the Hornets next season, the Suns’ decision to trade for Bridges will continue to look worse than it already has in the immediate aftermath.
Allen could thrive in his new environment
Allen goes to a similar situation in Charlotte — a team that already loves to shoot from deep with Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, and new addition Naz Reid on the roster. He’ll likely be the sixth man off the bench for the Hornets to spell Knueppel or Miller, ensuring there’s no drop off in 3-point range when Coach Charles Lee goes to the bench.
The former Sun should be viewed as the top offensive option in the second unit for Charlotte this season, which could lead to another solid year if he can avoid the injury bug.
Phoenix is moving forward with Bridges in the frontcourt, and while his rebounding skill could address an Achilles heel, the basketball IQ Allen brings to Charlotte should endear him to yet another new fan base.
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