Grayson Allen Keeps His Cool Amid Suns’ Trade Deadline Shuffle
SCOTTSDALE - At this point in his career, Grayson Allen has seen enough NBA seasons to know how the business works. Now in his eighth year, the Suns sharpshooter isn’t new to the noise that comes with the trade deadline. But even with Phoenix making a move this week, Allen is staying grounded - focused on the court, not the chaos.
The Suns recently sent out Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis in a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, bringing in Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony. On paper, it’s a move that doesn’t shake up the rotation much - Richards and Hayes-Davis weren’t seeing major minutes - but it still marks a shift in the locker room dynamic. And that’s something Allen doesn’t take lightly.
“They were great teammates,” Allen said after Thursday’s morning shootaround. “Energy, work ethic, their attitude in practice, their attitude towards the group, even when they’re not playing, was awesome this year. They didn’t take away from what we were doing.”
That kind of praise doesn’t come lightly. It speaks to the culture Phoenix has been building - a team-first mentality where even those on the fringes of the rotation are fully bought in. Richards and Hayes-Davis may not have been logging big minutes, but they were clearly making an impact behind the scenes.
And while Allen hasn’t been traded midseason himself, he knows the emotional toll these moves can take. One day you’re in the gym with a guy, the next he’s on a flight to a new city. It’s part of the job, but it doesn’t make it any easier.
Still, Allen’s not one to get caught up in the speculation or stress that comes with the deadline.
“Worrying about it for a week doesn’t really matter,” he said. “There were years where I wasn’t really worried about it at all… It’s just not worth worrying about.”
That’s the kind of perspective that comes with time in the league - and maybe a little self-awareness. Allen knows he’s not the one calling the shots in the front office.
He’s not the GM. But he also understands the human side of the business.
Trades aren’t just about cap space and roster balance - they’re about relationships, chemistry, and the ripple effects that can follow a roster move.
I asked Grayson Allen how he doesn’t let the uncertainty of the trade deadline get to him.
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) February 5, 2026
“Worrying about it for a week doesn’t really matter. (There were) years where I wasn’t really worried about it all… it’s just not worth worrying about.” pic.twitter.com/8hp7MeEmNg
As for what the Suns are getting in return, it remains to be seen how Coffey and Anthony will fit into the picture. With the rotation already fairly locked in, there’s no guarantee of immediate minutes. But the Suns aren’t looking to overhaul their identity - this was a depth move, not a reset.
Grayson Allen had nothing but love for Nigel Hayes-Davis and Nick Richards when @DuaneRankin asked about the Suns trade with the two players.
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) February 5, 2026
“Great teammates. They’re a great part of our team. Energy, work ethic, their attitude in practice, their attitude towards the group even… pic.twitter.com/Ja1vtuybu0
The core remains intact. The culture remains intact. And with the trade deadline nearly behind them, the Suns can shift their focus back to the court - where Allen, as always, will be ready to let his game do the talking.