The Phoenix Suns are reportedly searching the market for potential trades including veteran 3-and-D swingman Grayson Allen, with the Suns looking to reinforce their depth and add future assets to build sustainably around their core of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. Allen, who’s averaging 10.7 points this season, could be a great target for multiple teams around the NBA on different timelines of success.
If the Suns move on from Allen, they’ll have a list of requirements they would want to address in a trade for him. The team could use greater rotational depth, especially at their center spot behind Jusuf Nurkic. Outside of that, the team could also do with additions on the forward line to back up Durant alongside Bol Bol. Adding draft assets will always be a positive return as well.
With a list of needs the 11-8 Suns could address to solidify their hopes of contention, here are three realistic trade destinations for Allen.
Portland Trail Blazers
Phoenix Suns Receive: Mattise Thybulle, Duop Reath, 2029 First-Round Pick (BOS)
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Grayson Allen, Damion Lee
Whatever move the Suns deem best for Allen, it’ll be to ensure they get two rotational players into their roster. Allen is a streaky 3-and-D producer, so the Suns need to reinforce multiple positions in his place to ensure there isn’t a production downfall. That happens ideally in this defense-oriented move by swapping Allen for a defender like Mattise Thybulle. This deal can’t be executed before December 15.
Thybulle, a former All-Defensive selection hasn’t played this season. He’s at the end of the Portland Trail Blazers rotation but still can be useful on a winning team with his massive defensive skillset. He is a multi-positional defender who can take POA challenges while also masterfully guarding players off the ball. He’d be a more polished version of rookie Ryan Dunn, who has seen his minutes dwindle as his production has become inconsistent as the season has gone on.
Duop Reath is averaging 1.2 points this season. Amidst Jusuf Nurkic’s struggles, Reath would be a decent backup option to join the Suns’ cast of supporting bigs alongside Mason Plumlee. This move reinforces two key needs for the Suns and gives them a major draft pick to reinforce their future assets for potentially more trades.
Sacramento Kings
Phoenix Suns Receive: Kevin Huerter, Doug McDermott, Alex Len, 2026 Second-Round Pick (SAC), 2027 Second-Round Pick (SAC), 2029 Second-Round Pick (SAC)
Sacramento Kings Receive: Grayson Allen, Damion Lee, Mason Plumlee
The Suns need more consistent production across their roster, so a move to bring in three different players that can contribute in place of Allen. The Sacramento Kings need to strengthen their primary rotation, so enticing them into acquiring a 3-and-D specialist like Allen could be extremely likely.
All three players are mid to low-tier rotational players, with Huerter averaging 8.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists as a three-point specialist, while McDermott is averaging 2.8 points as a stretch power forward. Len is averaging 1.6 points and 2.1 rebounds as a backup center and could be a solid option as a backup to Nurkic and more consistent than rookie Oso Ighodaro.
This deal can’t happen until January 14 because McDermott isn’t trade-eligible right now, but it would be a fascinating move for the Suns. Allen might be the best player in this deal, but the Suns get additional second-round compensation for Allen, who has four guaranteed years on his contract still.
The Kings could use Allen to address their issues with a starting two-guard next to De’Aaron Fox, as his skill set would be perfect to complement Fox while giving the Kings a POA defender as well.
Detroit Pistons
Phoenix Suns Receive: Simone Fontecchio, Paul Reed, 2025 Second-Round Pick (TOR), 2028 Second-Round Pick (MIA), 2029 Second-Round Pick (NYK)
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Grayson Allen, Mason Plumlee
This deal would fill two solid rotational roles for the Suns in place of Allen, adding two young stars who can greatly enhance their level of play. The Detroit Pistons are on a winning trajectory this season and could realistically compete for the Playoffs. They have an offensive hole on their wing with Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland, so adding Allen to that position gives them another veteran shooter who can also provide a solid defensive baseline.
Fontecchio is averaging 6.6 points and 3.2 rebounds this season as a multi-positional forward who can play across roles. He can be a spot-up shooter or be more involved in offensive actions as a link-up passer. His defensive effort can be inconsistent, but his size allows him to alter shots and have impactful plays on that end.
Paul Reed is averaging 4.8 points and 2.2 rebounds as a low-end rotational player for the Pistons. We saw his potential when he was playing big minutes for the Philadelphia 76ers last season, and he could be a good solution for the Suns center rotation as a big-man defender who can switch onto smaller players if required. While he has major offensive limitations, Reed can be a game-changer defensively as the center or in minutes as a power forward.
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