As the NBA trade deadline nears, the Phoenix Suns and their aggressive new owner, Mat Ishbia, are evaluating all of the options that present themselves to the organization over the next few weeks. This includes trade scenarios revolving around Grayson Allen and Nassir Little, league sources told ClutchPoints.
Allen, who was dealt to the Suns in the three-team trade involving Damian Lillard before the season, has been nothing short of fantastic as a secondary contributor on the wing in Phoenix. Currently shooting 48.0 percent from deep, Allen ranks second in the league in three-point shooting percentage, trailing Milwaukee Bucks wing Malik Beasley by 0.1 percent. In Tuesday night's 22-point fourth quarter comeback victory against the Sacramento Kings, Allen made nine triples, tying his career-high for made threes in a game.
While in the midst of a career season and proving to be an integral part of the Suns' starting rotation, Allen is one of the team's only paths to potentially making an upgrade at this year's trade deadline. Phoenix owns virtually no draft assets, and over half of their roster owns minimum contracts. While they do have some trade exceptions that could be utilized only before the trade deadline, Allen is in the final year of his contract and is making $8.9 million.
The Suns are not necessarily open to trading Allen, sources said, but his name has been discussed by the front office in recent weeks. Phoenix will however entertain the idea of moving the 28-year-old if a significant upgrade presents itself. Packaging Allen's contract with that of Little's gives the Suns the ability to pursue a key secondary talent who can be a two-way presence on the wing, one that would likely be in the final year of his contract.
Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer also echoed a similar report recently, claiming that the Suns have “explored” what a package of Allen and Little could potentially bring them at the trade deadline.
Brooklyn Nets forwards Royce O'Neale and Dorian Finney-Smith are two veterans that are on the trade block and fit the description of the type of player the Suns have interest in pursuing. After being included in the recent Pascal Siakam trade, Bruce Brown may wind up being another name that gets linked to the Suns. However, the Raptors will likely be searching for draft capital if they are to flip Brown, something the Suns can't give them at this time.
Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal are finally healthy and on the court together, leading the Suns to victories in eight of their last 11 games. Now 22-18 on the season, the Suns are beginning to look like the offensive juggernaut many expected them to be when they pulled off their blockbuster deal for Beal over the summer. Allen, who has played a huge part in the team's success to this point, is viewed as a valuable commodity around the league given his production and contract.
The question Phoenix faces now is whether or not taking a chance on added value is worth giving up consistent perimeter shooting and secondary production. The Suns do view Allen as an important part of their championship-contending roster next to Durant, Booker, and Beal.
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