Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen is having his best season yet, posting career highs across the board in his first year in the Valley.
He is the only qualified 50-40-90 player in the NBA. Allen is also currently leading the league in 3-point percentage at 48.0%.
However, the Suns are 22-18 overall this season, very much under where they were expected to be at this point. Allen is on the last year of a two-year, $18.7 million deal and has a cap hit of just under $9 million this season.
He is one of six Suns’ players on a non-veteran minimum contract. These other players are Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Jusuf Nurkić and Nassir Little. With the NBA trade deadline approaching on Feb. 8, Phoenix can only take in 110% of the money from what they trade out. If the Suns want a big name player, at least one of these six will likely have to be traded.
Given these reasons and the fact he is greatly outplaying an expiring deal, Allen’s name has floated around in trade rumors.
“I think name has been in someone’s tweet every year since I’ve been in the league, so I hardly pay any attention to it,” Allen said. “Usually, it brings a smile to my face. It’s a little funny.”
Allen, who has started all 35 of the games he has played in and is averaging 13.9 points per game, wanted to make one thing clear.
“I’ve loved playing here (in Phoenix) this season,” Allen said. “I’ve loved playing with this team, and I don’t want to be traded, so not worried about it.”
What has Allen learned from the trade rumors in the past?
“Usually it means someone else wants you,” Allen said. “Hopefully that’s the case, and it’s not the team you’re playing for wants to get rid of you. It can be a little flattering.”
What does #Suns Grayson Allen think of trade rumors?
“My name has been in someone’s tweet every year since I’ve been in the league, so I hardly pay any attention to it. Usually, it brings a smile to my face.”
“I’ve loved playing here this season .. I don’t want to be traded.”