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2 best players Suns must re-sign in 2024 NBA free agency

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Shervon Fakhimi | Last updated 5/15/24

To say that the 2023-24 season did not go the way the Phoenix Suns thought would be an understatement. The Suns were amongst the betting favorites at the beginning of the year to win the title. That did not come to fruition. They got spanked and swept in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves. That result has already prompted the organization to make big moves and changes. More will come, including which players to re-sign during the 2024 NBA free agency.

Phoenix doesn’t have a lot of impending free agents, but there are a couple who had big roles with the team. The franchise is already deep into the second apron, meaning they won’t have many avenues to replace players like Royce O’Neale and Bol Bol if they don’t retain them. The Suns have to find a way to bring these two back in some capacity before losing them for nothing.

Royce O’Neale, forward

O’Neale should be the biggest priority for Phoenix to bring back for a number of reasons. For one, the Suns spent nearly the last of the little trade ammunition they had to acquire him from the Brooklyn Nets at the trade deadline. They sent three second-round picks to Brooklyn to bring him in. Phoenix now has just two second-rounders left to trade.

Another reason is that O’Neale played quite well for Phoenix upon his arrival. He has been billed as a three-and-d wing and provided exactly that for the Suns. O’Neale shot 37.6% from three on 5.2 attempts per game in the 30 regular season games he suited up for in the desert. That’s about what he shoots for his career (38.1%). His defense was solid as well.

Royce O'Neale has fit Phoenix like a glove

in Royces 55 non garbage time minutes so far, the Suns have a 40.9 Net rating and an 85.1 DRTG (yes I'm not kidding)

Opponents are shooting 14% when defended by him (per 2nd Spectrum), and he has 9 STL+BLK in just 3 games

Highlights pic.twitter.com/sH65X5bKXm

— RB Insiders (RBSPN) (@RyB_311) February 15, 2024

The Suns simply do not have many two-way players on their roster. Even two of their stars, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, tilt more of their game toward the offensive side of the ball. O’Neale, however, plays both ends very well. That ability unlocks lineup versatility for the Suns. He’s a player that they cannot afford to lose.

Bol Bol, center

Apr 12, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Phoenix Suns center Bol Bol (11) smiles before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Bol Bol received a lot of hype in high school and while he was entering the league. It’s easy to see why. He’s 7-foot-3 and 220 pounds with exquisite dexterity and nimbleness for someone that tall. But a foot injury along with landing on a veteran-laden Denver Nuggets team rendered him to the bench for the first three years of his career.

It wasn’t until last season with the Orlando Magic that Bol got a chance to show his skills. He played 70 games off the bench and while his numbers were nice, he didn’t quite impact winning. That changed this year with the Suns. Phoenix took a chance on him and his unique skillset and were right to do so.

Bol put up his best season of his career to date. He posted career-highs in field goal percentage (61.6%), three-point percentage (42.3%), and effective field goal percentage (68.9%). Bol also averaged 17.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per 36 minutes, which were also the best marks of his young NBA tenure. Not only that, but he played probably the best defense of his career too.

Bol Bol is *working* on defense. pic.twitter.com/OSIzJvwakN

— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) March 3, 2024

Bol is still not a finished product by any means, but he can still provide plenty to an NBA team, especially Phoenix. The Suns are not very deep or flexible in the frontcourt outside of Durant . Bol can play next to Durant and/or can spell Jusuf Nurkic as the backup center. If his three-point percentage carries over, he provides plenty of floor spacing for their three stars as well.

The Suns cannot be choosers regarding their depth in the offseason. Both O’Neale and Bol provided more than adequate two-way play for them this past season. They’d be wise to keep them around and get similar production going forward.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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