Phoenix Suns player analysis: 3-point percentage leader Grayson Allen to return after four-year, $70 million extension
Grayson Allen led the NBA in 3-point percentage while playing next to Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
Grayson Allen tied the Phoenix Suns’ franchise record for threes made in a game (nine) twice in 2023-24, an impressive sequence that ultimately was a part of leading the NBA at 46.1% from three.
Allen, 28, following a career year earned a four-year, $70 million contract extension with the Suns after he starred next to their “Big 3” with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
Allen’s 3-point shooting sputtered in the team’s first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, making just 1-of-5 attempts combined in Games 1 and 2. Midway through the second game, Allen sprained his ankle and did not return for the remainder of the series.
Phoenix attempted 32.3 3-pointers per game, 5.9 of which came from Allen. He will have to continue to be a knockdown shooter to help the Suns reach their own championship expectations next season.
Phoenix Suns’ depth chart combinations with Allen, Royce O’Neale and Damion Lee
Allen is expected to be the Suns’ starting small forward barring a change. He, Booker, Beal, Durant and starting center Jusuf Nurkic had the fifth-best point differential among starting fives in the NBA who played 1000 possessions with each other.
The Suns acquired Royce O’Neale, who signed a four-year, $44 million deal in free agency with the Suns, at the trade deadline. O’Neale has experience playing next to Durant and has 31 games of starting experience in the playoffs.
Damion Lee, who suffered a preseason meniscus injury this past year, is also expected to factor into the rotation.
Lee is a better player than Allen when it comes to shooting threes while moving. His off-ball movement helped him earn a role with the Golden State Warriors in their 2022 championship campaign.
O’Neale is the best defender of the three, so Allen will be expected to hit open shots, cut off the ball and finish around the rim.
How valuable was Grayson Allen?
Without Allen, Phoenix would not have had a reliable outside threat who shot with volume. Wing Josh Okogie had the highest shot quality among guards at one point but failed to shoot above 30 percent from three from the jump through most of the season. Kevin Durant and Allen at one point were No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in 3-point percentage this past season.
Allen’s spacing is something that coach Mike Budenholzer will use to his strengths in a five-out offensive system.
“The way he was able to take his shooting to that next level [this past year], I wasn’t surprised,” Budenholzer said in his introductory press conference as Suns head coach.
Mat Ishbia made it clear the Suns see Allen as a part of their core.
“He’s been a phenomenal part of the team and the organization,” Ishbia said during the NBA’s announcement of the 2027 All-Star Game in Phoenix. “We hope and expect to have both of those guys back along with keeping this core team together because we love our team and we’re going to compete at the highest level and hopefully in the playoffs very soon and see them all play together.”
Where does Grayson Allen fit next to Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal?
Allen had a terrific season next to the Suns’ Big 3, but it is clear there were times that Durant was not the focal point of the offense. Allen at times would look off Durant to take a shot or pass to another player late in the game when Durant appears to be the top scoring option, even at 35 years old.
Allen is expected to be a player who can compete for the starting small forward position along with Okogie and Royce O’Neale, who also re-signed with the team.