PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns set themselves to be in the market for a backup guard when free agency begins later today after trading away Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale for Miles Bridges this weekend.Phoenix could be an attractive destination for guards after Allen, Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin and Jamaree Bouyea all had career seasons in coach Jordan Ott's first year last season, leading to Gillespie and Goodwin already earning long-term contracts and Bouyea being elevated from a two-way contract to standard deal, which the Suns just took advantage of by exercising the team option on him for the 2026-27 season. Unless the Suns shed more salary, the most likely offer they can give for a new backup guard would the taxpayer mid-level exception, which is set at just over $6 million for next season and can only be offered for one or two seasons (max value would be two years, $12.4 million). There have already been several guards linked to Phoenix after the trade.Here are our top-3 options for the Suns in free agency: 1. Collin SextonMar 27, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Collin Sexton (2) dribbles down the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn ImagesThe Suns are going to need another guard who can score next to Collin Gillespie off the bench, and even though Sexton is undersized at 6-foot-3, he is an elite scorer who has averaged 18.3 points per game on 38.9% 3-point shooting across his eight-year NBA career.Sexton also embodies the hard-nosed style of basketball the Suns play on both ends and would thrive in Ott's system that gives players a lot of freedom offensively. The Suns would need Sexton to be a more willing playmaker (averaged 3.3 assists last season), which is an area Allen grew in last season, but he would be a seamless fit into what the Suns are trying to do and give them a massive scoring punch off the bench that could help offset when other players are struggling. Sexton, who is coming off a four-year, $70 million contract, could end up commanding more money.2. Luke KennardApr 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) dribbles against Utah Jazz guard John Konchar (55) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesIf the Suns want someone who can fill the hole of Allen's 3-point shooting, Kennard could be exactly that. Kennard, who is a ridiculous 44.2% 3-point shooter for his career (second-best in NBA history), showed he can be more than just a shooter with an increased role on the Los Angeles Lakers last season where he handled the ball a lot more. Ott would likely give Kennard the ultimate green light, just like he did with Allen, to try to increase his volume, and the Suns would have to hope he would be a reliable, all-around addition. 3. De'Anthony MeltonMar 21, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Golden State Warriors guard De'anthony Melton (8) in action against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images