PHOENIX — A year after Mat Ishbia promised sweeping change, the Phoenix Suns look like a franchise still stuck in transition. The expected Kevin Durant deal may finally be materializing, but the team’s roster overhaul could be far from finished.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The return package for Durant will be a massive factor on the success of the team next season. Regardless, general manager Brian Gregory will likely have to keep his eyes out for another trade to elevate the roster, most likely by trading one or both of Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen.
Two names now surfacing in internal discussions: Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale.
Mar 5, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) and forward Royce O’Neale (00) defend Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the fourth quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Why Suns could look to trade Allen and O’Neale:
The two players are on very tradeable contracts, with O’Neale due $10 million and Allen due nearly $17 million next season. O’ Neale has his best offensive season of his career, averaging 9.1 points per game on 40.6% from 3 on 5.9 attempts. When drafted by Utah in 2017, O’Neale was drafted as a defense-first type of player but has developed into something special.
Allen dealt with injuries last year, appearing in 64 games but only starting in seven. The 29-year-old lead the league on 3-point percentage in 2023, and only slightly regress last season to shoot 42.6% on 5.5 attempts. The sharpshooting makes them valuable assets but not exactly what the Suns need.
Mar 21, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Royce O’Neale (00) reacts after making a basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Allen and O’Neale are both 6’4 guards that shoot 40% from 3, they cancel each other out. The Suns lack size, hurting their defensive identity and battle on the glass. The two guards are stellar players but are one of the only few tradeable assets on the roster.
Gregory has 10 players currently under contract for next season. The franchise is expected to decline Micic’s team option and waive Cody Martin’s non-guaranteed salary for the 2025-2026 season, leaving the team with eight players. The Durant trade will bring in some key rotational pieces but Gregory shouldn’t stop looking to improve the roster.
Apr 6, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) dribbles against New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) and guard Landry Shamet (44) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Out of the two, Allen is likely the more tradable piece with his higher salary and injury concerns from last year. Phoenix still has over $50 million guaranteed to Allen over the next three years and will want to offload that salary for cap relief. Allen possess all the characteristic that a contender would want, a sharpshooter above average defender that can be trusted down the stretch.
Gregory should look for size and draft capital in exchange for Allen. Detroit Pistons Isaiah Stewart, New Orleans Pelicans Kelly Olynyk or Portland Trail Blazers Robert Williams are all around the price range of Allen and would benefit the Suns immensely with their arrival. Adding any of those types of players would help Phoenix’s cap situation and the on-court product heading into the 2025-2026 season.
Suns unable to secure two teams top centers in a Durant deal
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
