The Phoenix Suns acquired Grayson Allen from the Milwaukee Bucks in the three-team Damian Lillard trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. Allen’s reputation of being a “dirty” player didn’t discourage the Suns from acquiring him, according to NBA insider Duane Rankin of AZCentral.com.
“Allen has been viewed as a ‘dirty’ player dating back to college at Duke where he tripped multiple players, but that reputation didn’t cause the Suns to pause on the trade, league sources say,” Rankin wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “Phoenix isn’t known for playing dirty, but the franchise had its share of players who are aggressive and get under the skin of their opponents with Jae Crowder being one of them. The Suns have prided themselves on having a culture of being competitive that doesn’t involve crossing the line or injuring players. League sources say Allen will likely adjust his game to the environment in Phoenix.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Grayson Allen, Phoenix Suns Updates
Allen appeared in 72 games for the Bucks last season. He averaged 10.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 44.0% from the field, 39.9% from beyond the arc and 90.5% from the free-throw line.
Allen has career NBA averages of 9.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists with the Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Bucks.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Grayson Allen, Phoenix Suns Updates
The Suns, who lost to the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals in six games, traded Deandre Ayton to the Blazers and acquired Jusuf Nurkic from Portland. Phoenix is expected to start Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Josh Okogie, Kevin Durant and Nurkic in 2023-24.
Nurkic signed a four-year, $70 million contract with the Blazers in July 2022. The center averaged 13.3 points and 9.1 rebounds last season while shooting 51.9% from the field, 36.1% from beyond the arc and 66.1% from the free-throw line.
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