Grayson Allen has always been a polarizing figure, but when the Milwaukee Bucks included him in the blockbuster trade for Damian Lillard, some questioned whether Milwaukee would regret losing one of the league’s best shooters.
After all, he was once upon a time billed as the shooting guard of the future for this team. Many believed he was an elite floor spacer who was the perfect complement to Giannis Antetokounmpo on offense and surprisingly competent on the defensive side of the ball.
Allen turned into a revelation upon joining the Phoenix Suns, providing elite floor-spacing and a surprising level of playmaking. He was, for a time, the best 3-point shooter in the association.
Even now, we know how that story ends. The Milwaukee Bucks landed the steal of the offseason in Gary Trent Jr. to give the Bucks what Allen did and then some. Over in Phoenix, Allen is looking like his career year in his first season with Phoenix was a fluke.
After a career year, Allen's numbers have dipped across the board
These days, Grayson Allen’s production has dipped significantly, making it clear the Bucks made the right decision to package him in the trade that brought Lillard to Milwaukee.
In his first season with the Suns, Allen enjoyed a career year, averaging 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and three assists in a hefty 33.5 minutes per game. He shot an astounding 49.9 percent from the field and an elite 46.1 percent from 3-point range, thriving alongside Phoenix’s star-studded lineup of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
This season, his first one back with former Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer, Allen’s numbers have regressed across the board.
Through 22 games, he’s averaging just 10.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 24.1 minutes per game. His efficiency has plummeted, with his field goal percentage dropping to 40.7 percent and his 3-point percentage falling to 37.9 percent.
This is obviously by no means a bad mark, but the sudden jump also means he's much more prone to the 1-of-10 shooting nights that he had put up every now and then as a Milwaukee Buck.
Observers have also noted a troubling trend: Allen appeared out of shape to start the season. While reports suggested he added muscle in the offseason, his conditioning has raised concerns, potentially contributing to his diminished impact on the court.
Allen’s struggles have been more than just a statistical decline—they’ve affected the Suns’ overall performance. According to PBP Stats, the Suns have a negative net rating (-0.52) when Allen is on the floor, and only a marginally better one (-0.27) when he’s off it. That’s a stark contrast to his early impact in Phoenix and a clear indication that his presence hasn’t been as beneficial as the Suns might have hoped.
It's not hard to admit that the Bucks were still right to trade for Lillard
When Milwaukee traded Allen, they understood what they were giving up: a reliable shooter and capable role player who had grown into his role as a complementary piece alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.
This is obviously not to disparage what Allen was for the Bucks, but he has a game that is as predictable as it is reliable. He's somewhat more than just a shooter that you stick in the corner, but he's not quite a three-level scorer that you want taking guys off the dribble. He's that undefined third thing that's too good to spot up exclusively but not there yet in finishing at the basket over tough defenses. The series against the Boston Celtics was proof of this.
Jon Horst and company also knew what they were getting in return when the trade was made: Damian Lillard, one of the league’s most dynamic offensive players and a proven clutch performer. Simply put, he's been everything that the Bucks' easy-to-stop offense could have wanted.
The Bucks didn’t just trade for Lillard’s talent—they traded for the higher ceiling he brought to their team. While Allen was a solid contributor, he was never going to be the player who put Milwaukee over the top in a deep playoff run. Lillard, on the other hand, is the kind of game-changer who can swing a playoff series on his own.
The contrast between Lillard and Allen couldn’t be more striking. Lillard, after a slow start, has begun to find his rhythm in Milwaukee, averaging 25.7 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds through 22 games. His ability to take over games in critical moments has already paid dividends for the Bucks, and his partnership with Giannis Antetokounmpo has given Milwaukee a lethal one-two punch.
In short, Dame Time is looking every bit as good as advertised.
Allen’s regression in Phoenix is just one reason why the Milwaukee Bucks were willing to move on. As good as Allen was in a supporting role, he lacked the consistency and star power needed to elevate a contender like Milwaukee. His decline this season only reinforces the idea that the Bucks maximized his value when they traded him as part of the package for Damian Lillard.
For Milwaukee, the trade wasn’t just about upgrading their roster—it was about raising their ceiling. In a league where championship windows are fleeting, the Bucks prioritized taking the biggest swing possible. And while it’s always tough to part with a player like Allen, his struggles in Phoenix are a reminder that Milwaukee made the right call.
The Bucks didn’t just win the trade—they positioned themselves for sustained contention. And as Lillard continues to thrive in Milwaukee, it’s clear that the decision to move on from Grayson Allen was a necessary step in the pursuit of another championship.
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