Things feel pretty damn good in Phoenix right now. The team’s 6–5, winners of five of their last six, and playing like they actually believe in what they’re building. They’re exceeding the expectations
we swore we didn’t have, the kind we buried under layers of skepticism.
What we’re seeing is the early foundation of the culture Mat Ishbia and Brian Gregory swore they’d bring to the Valley. Jordan Ott’s fingerprints are all over it, too. The rookie head coach has them organized, disciplined, and loose all at once. They look good, they play good, and the vibe around this team finally feels good again.
And how can you not feel good about it?
You’re watching career-level stuff from Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, and Royce O’Neale. The latter two are both in the top five in threes made this season. Grayson just shattered the franchise record with 10 triples on his way to 42 points in a 23-point win. That’s not hot shooting, that’s a flamethrower in human form.
So yes, life feels good right now. And what’s happening might be the best possible version of the Suns’ timeline, both for today and tomorrow.
Because remember, these same two guys — Allen and O’Neale — were the ones everyone wanted to ship out over the summer. Their names were in every hypothetical trade thread, the classic “salary match” pieces meant to grease the wheels for something bigger. The irony? Those supposedly expendable contracts are turning into some of the best value deals in basketball. Teams balked at their term lengths and shrugged off their upside. Now they’re watching two of the most reliable, floor-spacing, culture-boosting wings in the league light it up in the desert.
The Suns were the ones making the calls this past summer, seeing if anyone wanted Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neale. Now? The phones might start ringing in the other direction.
Every team wants shooting. It’s basketball’s version of gold. That’s why the idea of sending Allen to a team like the Magic made sense this past summer. Orlando has all the defense in the world, but they couldn’t hit water from a boat last season. Now, with Allen and O’Neale both lighting it up from deep, their value is spiking fast.
And yeah, I get it. Nobody wants to think about trading either of these guys right now. Not when the vibes are this good. But front offices have to think in two timelines: the now and the next. The Suns don’t need to move either player. Both are locked up through 2028, both are producing, both fit. Still, what they’re doing now. They’re raising eyebrows, setting records, shooting the lights out. It is exactly what drives up value.
If you’re playing the long game, you’ve got to keep that in mind. The better they play, the higher the return if a deal ever comes. That’s how sustainable success is built.
We’ve seen this movie before in Phoenix. Usually, the organization isn’t in the driver’s seat when it comes to trades. The asset’s either too banged up, too disgruntled, or too diminished to hold real value on the open market. In the case of Allen and O’Neale, it was more about timing. Both had a defined skill set, but they also had three years left on their deals. Not many teams were lining up to take on that kind of commitment.
But as the season rolls on and the trade deadline creeps closer, those contracts start to look better. By February, any team acquiring them would only have two and a half years left, and if you’re a playoff team desperate for shooting, both Allen and O’Neale start looking a lot more appealing.
That’s what makes this stretch so ideal for the Suns. They’re winning games, they’re competitive, and they’re doing it in a way that validates the front office’s plan. Short term, the team looks strong. Long term, they’re quietly building leverage. Every made three, every gritty possession, every efficient night adds value.
Time will tell if this hot shooting holds, but if the Suns keep stacking wins with Allen and O’Neale leading the charge, it’s a win-win. The team thrives now, and the future gets a little brighter with every splash from deep.
