Grayson Allen and the Suns have agreed to a four-year, $70M contract extension, per @wojespn Allen led the league in 3PT% this season (46.1%) 🔥
Grayson Allen agrees to a new 4-year, $70 Million deal to stay with the Phoenix Suns
NBAMonday, 15 April 2024 at 23:00
Phoenix Sun's guard Grayson Allen, who was set to become a free agent this summer, has agreed to a new four-year deal, worth $70 million that also includes a player option. Grayson Allen who has bounced around from team to team in the last couple of years being on four teams in the last six years has finally found a home.
The Suns have rewarded Grayson Allen with 17.5 million per year with him having his best season of his career, and a big reason as to why they have won 49 games this year. This season Allen has averaged 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.0 assist, and shooting 50% from the field and 46.1% from three which are all career best for him.
How has Grayson Allen helped the Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns who finished the year as the 6th seed with a record of 49-33, is due in thanks to the improved play from Grayson Allen. With Devin Booker and Bradley Beal being in and out of the line-up this year, the Suns needed someone to step up and it has been Allen, that has in a big way.
Throughout his whole career he has been pinned as a three point specialist and a feisty defender. However, this year not only has he posted career bests in scoring and shooting percentage, he has also improved his rebounding and playmaking ability, posting career best in rebounds and assists per game.
When the Suns are fully healthy he is a great catch and shoot option for Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker. He also allows more spacing and lanes for everyone to drive the ball in with defenses having to respect his elite shooting. With this uptick in scoring the Suns can now at all times have at least two players that can score the ball, on the court at all times. They are going to need Grayson Allen to keep playing at his best for these playoffs, if they hope to make a deep-run.
How this deal affects their Salary Cap
The Phoenix Suns, who in the last couple of years have been a cap heavy team. The number one thing that has affected the Suns in the last two-three years has been the lack of depth they have been able to produce. With already paying Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker max deals and now paying Grayson Allen an average of 17.5 million per year. They are in a worse situation now than before paying Allen.
With Allen's $15.6 million salary in the first year of the deal it will cost the Suns $79 million in payroll and tax running Sun's owner Mat Ishbia's projected 2024-25 payroll to $206 million with an additional $104 million in luxury tax. That will be the highest in the league.
Also, to go along with that the Suns are currently on books to exceed the league's second apron by $16 million, which comes with it punitive consequences under the league's new collective bargaining agreement. Over the second apron, the Suns will be forbidden to send out cash in deals, aggregate contracts or use a preexisting trade exception. If the Suns finish the 2024-25 season over the second apron, their 2032 first-round pick will be frozen and unavailable to use in trades.
With Signing Allen to this deal it keeps the core they have together, but it will cost them the ability for roster flexibility, to sign players to improve their depth. A problem the Suns are going to have to navigate in years to come.
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