The Suns have made a move on the roster and are reportedly closing in on a trade with the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies, bringing veteran 3-and-D man Royce O’Neale to Phoenix.
The Suns will trade away David Roddy of the Grizzlies. In return, Memphis will get a future pick swap and Yuta Watanabe from the Suns. The Nets will get back three future second-round picks.
Addition of O’Neale for Suns offers a precious depth to the bench. With a career average shooting at 38.1% from 3-point range, as well as good defensive skills, O’Neale brings Phoenix flexibility from experience. In his seven-year stint in the NBA, O’Neale has developed into a reliable wing defender-something the Suns hope to secure their defense with.
The Suns add another piece to their frontline along with O’Neale, in the form of 6-foot-4 forward David Roddy. Entering his second season in the league, Roddy averaged 8.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game for the Grizzlies this season. Further depth and versatility in the frontcourt rotation for the Suns.
On the Grizzlies’ side of things, Watanabe brings some comfort and depth back to their layers. The 6-foot-9 forward starts his career in Memphis, bringing shooting and defensive talents that will take so much to fortify the team on both ends of the floor.
Overall, the trade will be a reflection of the commitment of the Suns to strengthen its roster for a postseason run. With O’Neale’s defense and Roddy’s versatility, the Suns expect to strengthen the bench and add more support to the franchise’s stars. As the new players begin competing in the Suns’ lineup, their performance will spark great fan expectations and ensure playoff success.
Royce O’Neale: A Versatile Defender Carving His Path in the NBA
Born June 5, 1993, Royce O’Neale is an American professional basketball player. The player currently plays for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He finds a niche being a dependable defender as well as a man who can contribute from every position. His journey to the NBA and the more significant achievement, style of play, and impact on teams are discussed in this regard.
Early Life and College Basketball:
O’Neale started his basketball career in his hometown, Killeen, Texas, at Harker Heights High School. He carried on his passion for basketball up to college at the University of Denver and later transferred to Baylor University, where he became a crucial asset on defense and assisted the team in reaching the NCAA Elite Eight in 2014.
Undrafted and Journey into the NBA:
O’Neale’s solid college career did not help him get drafted in the 2015 NBA Draft; however, he continued to prove himself and eventually signed with Utah Jazz for the 2017 NBA Summer League. There he was impressive on defense, seeing most of his playing time at the Jazz. He even inked a two-way deal with the club, which means he could spend time in both the G League and the NBA.
I entered prominence at the Utah Jazz:
He made himself a natural fit for the Jazz’s full-time NBA roster in 2018 through sheer hard work and doing his thing on defense. In a blink of an eye, he was one of the fan’s favorite-these children know how to hustle, energize plays, and guard numerous positions. Under Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, O’Neale played a key role in making sure the Jazz would stay relatively steady in the playoffs for his time here.
O’Neale’s strength lies in his defense. He has high basketball IQ, where he understands plays and can foresee the opponents’ schemes to make good guards on both offensive schemes. He is also a very effective one-on-one defender, where it makes it hard for those assigned to him to have good scoring chances. He also has some good lateral quickness and length for a perimeter defender.
No longer his naturally strong suit, O’Neale has also proved himself a proficient three-point shooter. He has been a reliable contributor with quality outside shooting, especially down the stretch in big games. In his entire NBA career, O’Neale has averaged 7.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in every game.
Trade to the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns:
O’Neale was traded in June 2022 for a bigger trade package to the Brooklyn Nets. Though his time with the Nets would only be for a short season, he remained a consistent contributor on the court. On November 3, 2023, O’Neale was traded again, this time to join Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Chris Paul on the Phoenix Suns.
Impact on the Phoenix Suns and Future
By putting O’Neale with the existing talented defenders, the Phoenix Suns finally have a well-rounded defense. Since the Suns will have a solid roster of stars, O’Neale’s perimeter and paint defending will bring so much more value to them in their bid for back-to-back championships.
Player Royce O’Neale has created an amazing journey from being undrafted to becoming one of the most valuable contributors in the current NBA. He can defend at an elite level while bringing his developing prowess on offense, thus making him an invaluable resource for any team that has him on their roster. Fans will surely want to see him continuously contribute to the success of the Phoenix Suns during his second season in the team.
Sam, a dedicated blogger, has immersed himself in the world of content creation for the past five years. His journey reflects a profound passion for storytelling and insightful commentary. Beyond the digital realm, Sam is a devoted NBA enthusiast, seamlessly blending his love for sports with his writing pursuits.
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