Grayson Allen’s season with the Phoenix Suns has been anything but predictable. At 30 years old, he entered the year as a starter under first-time head coach Jordan Ott, and early on, it looked like he’d found his rhythm-especially from deep. Allen was rediscovering his shooting stroke, spacing the floor, and holding his own defensively, even drawing praise for his role in containing Victor Wembanyama.
But as quickly as he found his groove, the situation around him began to shift.
Allen’s season has been marked by highs and lows-everything from a key defensive assignment to an ejection against the Thunder, to watching from the bench as his teammates racked up wins in his absence. A knee injury has sidelined him since mid-December, and while the Suns have only managed one win this month with Allen on the floor, his absence has opened the door for others to step up-and they have.
A Changing Rotation in Phoenix
The Suns have had a brutal schedule of late, no doubt. But even amid that, the team has started to find a better balance on the court without Allen in the rotation. Collin Gillespie has stepped into the starting lineup and made the most of his opportunity, while Royce O'Neale has provided a similar skill set to Allen-defensive toughness, perimeter shooting, and veteran savvy.
Perhaps more importantly, Allen’s injury has created valuable minutes for young players like Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro. Those reps are crucial for development, and both have shown flashes that suggest they belong in the mix moving forward.
And then there’s Jamaree Bouyea.
The emergence of Bouyea has been one of the more unexpected but welcome developments for Phoenix. He’s brought energy, playmaking, and a level of poise that’s hard to ignore.
He’s earned his extended run, and right now, he’s playing like someone who plans to stay in the rotation. Add in Jordan Goodwin-who brings more defensive edge than Allen-and it’s clear that the Suns’ backcourt depth is evolving quickly.
Allen’s Trade Value in Question
From a front office perspective, Allen’s situation is a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, he’s on a team-friendly deal and shooting nearly 40% from three on a career-high 8.2 attempts per game. That’s elite volume and efficiency-traits that carry real value across the league, especially for playoff contenders looking to add shooting.
On the other hand, his recent injury and the Suns’ improved play without him could be cooling his trade value at the wrong time. Phoenix is clearly not waiting around to make moves. They’re pushing forward, and Allen-once seen as a key piece in the rotation-is starting to look more like a trade chip than a long-term fit.
The Road Ahead
There’s no denying Allen had carved out a role earlier this season. He was contributing, spacing the floor, and playing within the system.
But the Suns’ roster is shifting quickly. With Jalen Green still expected to return and the backcourt competition heating up, Coach Ott may have to make a tough call-one that keeps the team’s momentum going, even if it means moving on from one of the longest-tenured players on the roster.
Allen’s shooting can help any team. But right now, it’s looking more and more like his future impact might come in a different uniform.