When it comes to the Phoenix Suns, opinions vary widely, and that’s one of the reasons it’s so exciting to cover the team. As a Bright Side contributor and co-host of the Suns Planet Podcast, I’m thrilled to connect with fans of our “Valley Boys” worldwide and share perspectives. No single opinion is definitive, which keeps the discussion alive. I recently came under scrutiny for this “hot opinion” by my fellow Phoenix Suns media content creators.

And so here I am, standing alone on this ledge… or am I?

Today I want to explain why I ranked Grayson Allen as the third best player on the Phoenix Suns roster for the upcoming season.

When the Phoenix Suns signed Grayson Allen, many of us had our doubts. His reputation as a “dirty player” made us wonder if he would be more of a liability than an asset. But we couldn’t have been more wrong.

Allen has maintained his reputation as a troublemaker and disruptor on the court, but it’s our opponents who suffer, not us. He quickly became a fan favorite at the Footprint Center and not only provided entertainment, but was also a great addition to our roster. Last season, Grayson was a scorer. Allen dominated with a .499 shooting percentage. Even more impressive is his .461 three-point percentage, which led not only the Suns but the entire NBA last season. Suns fans, rejoice: We have the best three-point shooter in the league. How good is that!

But his contributions do not end here.

Grayson Allen’s ball-handling skills are solid, as evidenced by his 95 turnovers last season. For comparison, Kevin Durant had 244, Devin Booker 178, Jusuf Nurkić 175 and Bradley Beal 131. Despite playing the second-most minutes on the team – 2,513, just behind Durant’s 2,791 – Allen kept his turnovers low. Add to that his average of 3.0 assists per game, which shows that he not only handles the ball appropriately, but reliably.

Allen is also a threat on defense, averaging 0.9 steals per game (4th on the Suns roster). His ability to disrupt the opposition on both ends of the court makes him a crucial player for the upcoming season. Whether it’s offense or defense, Grayson Allen will play a pivotal role for the Suns this year.

It’s important to remember that Allen started 74 of 75 regular-season games and both playoff games last season. When he was injured, his absence was felt, especially in terms of scoring, ball-handling and the “disruptive energy” he brings to the court.

This is where the real eye test comes in. Given Bradley Beal’s injury history, someone like Grayson will fill the void, and so Allen moves from fourth to third on this Suns roster. His durability, reliability, and overall commitment have earned him that spot above all others. Grayson Allen doesn’t give up and thrives on competing. He won’t let us down. Beal? I haven’t seen us rely on him when we need him.

This season brings new challenges – a different coaching staff, new roles, and a stronger rotation with the addition of two skilled point guards. While this may impact his playing time and possession, I believe Grayson Allen will continue to be one of the team’s most valuable players under coach Mike Budenholzer. Will he get a starting position, play the same amount of minutes, or play the same amount of time as he has in the past? Probably not, but only time will tell.

That’s the most exciting thing about a new roster and coaches, we have no idea what to expect this season. I know @GraysonJAllen has transformed from a league villain to a Suns hero and I’m behind you bro!

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