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With the Phoenix Suns roster shifting younger compared to the last few seasons, it’s fair to assume that could continue as Brian Gregory and his new management staff continue to tweak the roster and make it their own.
Earlier this week, we asked Suns fans who the next victim veteran
of the youth movement could be and here’s how they voted:
While it wasn’t a blowout, Royce O’Neale got the most votes. Now going into his ninth season in the NBA, O’Neale has made the playoffs in all but one season (last year), and this Valley squad to projects to be the worst of his career.
At 32 years-old, he’s known for his ability to space the floor and defend multiple positions on the wing. Last season, he had career highs in both points per game and three-point percentage. He has three years, and about $33 million left on his deal. O’Neale’s contract could be too long for a team to want, but for a player with 7 years of playoff experience both as a starter and a reserve, he could be someone contending teams look to acquire for wing depth or if an unexpected injury happens as the trade deadline approaches.
While I was not surprised that Royce got the most votes, I was surprised that Nick Richards got 11% more votes than Grayson Allen. While Richards is less likely to play a vocal role for the team this season, Allen is someone who can significantly help a team’s floor spacing out immediately upon his arrival.
Leading the league in three-point percentage two years ago, his role and volume were down from a season ago, but he still shot it at an elite level, and has flashed moments as a Sun where he can be an elusive playmaker and proficient scorer. A main issue the Suns could have with moving Allen is his contract: he has three years at about $55 million left on his deal. Teams could be afraid to take on his salary without the Suns attaching a draft pick, something they have very little of.
Allen’s value could be dependent of the role teams project him to have with them, either as a starter or a reserve, and what the other options teams have on the trade market to upgrade their shooting. Just like O’Neale, because of his age and experience, he projects best with a team that has aspirations for a long playoff run. Before coming to Phoenix, Allen started alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, helping the Milwaukee Bucks achieve the best record in the NBA in the 2022-2023 season.
Do you think anyone else has a chance to be traded this year? Let us know.
