Report: Suns open to trading 1 key starter

Oct 12, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel encourages his team before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

The stalling Phoenix Suns superteam may have another move in mind ahead of this year’s trade deadline.

NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reports this week that the Suns are evaluating trade scenarios centered around a member of their starting five — guard Grayson Allen. Siegel also mentions that reserve forward Nassir Little is another player the Suns would be open to moving.

Though Phoenix is a mediocre 22-18 this season, Allen has actually been one of their best all-around performers. He is leading the Western Conference in three-point percentage at a scalding 48.0 percent and is taking on the tough perimeter defensive assignments that the likes of Devin Booker and Bradley Beal cannot necessarily handle. Allen can also score by putting the ball on the deck and played a massive role in the Suns’ stunning fourth-quarter comeback Tuesday against Sacramento with his team-high 29 points.

While he is exactly the kind of role player Phoenix needs around their Big Three, Allen will be a free agent after the season. He seems very unlikely to get a new contract from the Suns, who are past the second luxury-tax apron. Thus, they might be wise to sell high on Allen at the deadline, perhaps even to this playoff team that had interest in him not too long ago.