What the Suns $70 Million Decision Means

The Phoenix Suns faced tough financial decisions this offseason, particularly as they grapple with the consequences of the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). As a second-apron team with a roster featuring high-priced stars like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, the Suns were only armed with veteran minimum contracts to bolster their rotation. Despite these limitations, the Suns managed to add critical depth, including the addition of Tyus Jones , and recently made a pivotal $70 million decision to extend Grayson Allen. However, the key question remains: With a significant investment in Allen, how long can they afford to bring him off the bench?

What Grayson Allen’s $70 Million Extension Means

Grayson Allen’s $70 Million Extension

The Suns made headlines by signing Grayson Allen to a four-year, $70 million extension, raising eyebrows across the league. Although Allen is projected to start the season coming off the bench, the Suns clearly see value in his contributions. His ability to shoot, defend, and bring toughness to the backcourt has earned him this sizable contract.

However, this decision comes at a cost. Allen’s extension represents a significant chunk of Phoenix’s limited financial flexibility. As a team pressed against the second apron, every dollar matters. Committing $70 million to Allen means the Suns must carefully manage their roster construction and ensure their core pieces deliver in tandem.

Tyus Jones: Underpaid Floor General

Among Phoenix’s most impressive offseason moves was signing Jones for just $2.0 million, a steal in the context of his true value. Jones is a floor general, known for his exceptional ball-handling and low turnover rate. In fact, he led the league in turnover percentage during the 2023-24 season, a skill that addresses a critical Suns weakness.

Phoenix ranked third-worst in turnover percentage last season at 16%, an alarming statistic that directly impacted their ability to close out games. Their fourth-quarter net rating of -11.6 was the worst in the NBA. The Suns needed someone to steady the ship, and Jones’ ability to take care of the basketball fills that gap perfectly.

Jones is underpaid due to the current financial climate created by the new CBA, which has teams being more cautious with their spending. While some teams might not have offered him what he’s truly worth, Phoenix capitalized by adding a starting-caliber point guard at a bargain price.

Three Ball-Dominant Guards: Can It Work?

By starting Jones, the Suns will roll out a lineup featuring three ball-dominant guards: Jones, Booker, and Beal. While this setup might raise concerns, there is precedent for success. The 2019-20 Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Chris Paul, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Dennis Schroder, successfully deployed a three-guard lineup to push themselves into the playoffs.

For the Suns, the key will be sharing responsibilities between the guards, with Jones likely taking on the role of primary facilitator. Beal and Booker are more than capable of scoring off the ball, and Jones’s ability to control the pace of the game and limit turnovers should create the balance needed for this system to thrive.

Financial Challenges Under the New CBA

Phoenix’s offseason moves were made under the tight restrictions imposed by the new CBA. The second apron severely limits how teams can add talent and construct rosters, making every decision critical. In this context, both the signing of Jones and the extension of Allen carry significant weight.

Jones was an under-the-radar addition who could become a linchpin in the Suns’ offense. However hefty contract was signed with Allen for a reason. He’s been an effective role player on the Suns.

Grayson Allen’s Value To The Suns

Grayson Allen’s contributions to the Suns last season highlight his value as a consistent and efficient role player. With career-high averages of 13.5 points, 3.0 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game, Allen demonstrated his ability to make an impact, especially from behind the arc. He shot a league-leading 46.1% from three-point range, much of which came from catch-and-shoot opportunities. Allen thrived in his role, benefiting from the attention that stars like Durant and Booker attracted, allowing him to take open shots, converting them at an elite 47.8% rate when defenders were more than six feet away.

Additionally, Allen maintained his aggressive nature on the defensive end of the floor, something he has honed since his Duke days. His willingness to get to his spots and knock down crucial shots, combined with his consistency as a perimeter defender, makes him an essential piece in the Suns’ depth chart. With a roster built around a high-powered “Big Three,” Allen’s ability to play off their talents while keeping turnovers low and defending effectively makes him a key player for Phoenix moving forward.

Given the injury concerns that have plagued the Suns’ stars, Allen’s availability and consistency become even more critical as they look to make a deeper playoff run in the upcoming season. Allen could be playing so well off the bench that there will be calls for him to start. The Suns could be forced to make an uncomfortable decision regarding Beal if this coincides with him struggling like he did in 2023-24.

The Grayson Allen Decision the Suns Will Have to Make

Ultimately, the Suns had to make their decisions based on the limited flexibility they had. Jones is the low-risk, high-reward signing that Phoenix desperately needed to stabilize their offense, particularly in the critical moments of games. His low turnover rate and leadership qualities are essential for a team that struggled in those areas last season.

On the other hand, Allen’s $70 million extension makes it difficult to bring him off the bench. He brings valuable skills to the table, which the Suns will need down the stretch of a championship-or-bust season.