Both the Suns and the Pacers get a piece that helps them in their playoff push.
The Phoenix Suns have already made two moves this season. The first was acquiring center Nick Richards and a second-round pick from the Charlotte Hornets for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks. Monday, the Suns mortgaged the future, sending away their sole first-round pick in 2031 for 3 first-round picks (in 2025, 2027 & 2029).
Making these recent moves leads us to believe a shakeup is coming. It’s one that the fans have been asking for since Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic were sent to the bench. With that being said, though, even if they do get a Beal for Butler trade, that is not enough. The Suns will still need more on this roster to compete in a stacked Western Conference. Let’s look at a trade that I believe will benefit both parties.
Mock Proposed Trade
Suns Receive: Obi Toppin
Pacers Receive: Grayson Allen
Before everyone starts coming to my head, I’d like to explain myself. Obviously, the Suns’ main priority would be to move Beal and Nurkic first, and this could be a later move of that effect. This being the case, the Suns may have to give up something valuable (similar to Okogie) to get a piece that better fits the team.
Stat breakdown
As we all know, the Suns valued Grayson as the best 3-point shooter for the team last year. Now, with an abundance of guards on the team, his role has diminished to a bench scorer. Not only that but his numbers have also dropped a bit with his role doing so as well. Allen registered averages of 33 minutes last season while shooting 50% from the field (49,9 if you want exact) and 46% from three-point land. This season, he is averaging 24 minutes, 45% from the field and 43% from three.
When looking at a player like Obi Toppin, he brings a lot of what the Suns lack. Athleticism at the wing and rebounding, not from a center, being the most notable, of course. For the Pacers, he has been a key piece of their retool/rebuild since trading for Tyrese Haliburton. This year, Toppin is averaging 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks in 19 minutes. For the type of role he could play on the Suns I see all these stats increasing similar to Nick Richards.
Why the Suns do this?
Now that is not a drastic change, but with Allen dealing with injuries, it has limited his production throughout the season. The Suns also have so many guards under the roster that by trading Allen, they are getting a hole they are missing on the team. An athletic rebounding wing who is a traditional power forward. The Suns have wings like Ryan Dunn, Royce O’Neale, and Kevin Durant, but none possess the playstyle Toppin would bring to Phoenix.
Photo by Aurelien Morissard/NBAE via Getty Images
Why do the Pacers do this?
The Pacers may be reluctant to make moves ahead of the deadline, but what if it still benefitted them? Obi is a great fit in Indy, but they have other young wings in Jarace Walker and Isaiah Jackson, who still need development. Moving Toppin frees up more space for their prospects to grow. Adding another shooter to a team that lacks it as they ranked 28th in 3PA at 33.7 per game. This would add another viable piece for Tyrese Haliburton to find on the wing to also boost his assist numbers.
Final Thoughts
Truly, I don’t know if the Pacers or even the Suns would consider this, but I personally would. I do believe the Suns would try to use Nurkic’s deal at first, but with the Pacers recently trading for Thomas Bryant, I don’t see that happening.
Regardless I think this move works for both parties. If I were sitting in the front office, I would make this happen. They both have 3 years left on their deal and the Suns save money. Obi Toppin makes $12 million while Grayson makes $15. Therefore, Suns fans, I ask you the question.
Would you make this move?