The Phoenix Suns were one team that needed to make a deal ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline on Thursday afternoon. They have a star-studded Big 3 with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, but the supporting cast around them could use some more help.
General manager James Jones didn’t have many assets to work with, as the Suns have either sent out all of their draft picks or they are tied up in pick swaps. Despite that, he still found a way to upgrade the team’s roster for the stretch run of the season.
The Suns are set to acquire Royce O’Neale from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for three second-round picks according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. O’Neale is a steady veteran player, providing a 3-and-D skill set to the Suns. He previously played with Durant in Brooklyn, so his fit transition in Phoenix should be an easy one as he knows what it takes to play around ball-dominant stars.
On top of adding O’Neale, the Suns are also acquiring David Roddy from the Memphis Grizzlies, expanding this to a three-team trade. The Grizzlies will get a pick swap with the Suns in exchange for Roddy, who will present another rotation upgrade for Phoenix.
Roddy, a first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Colorado State, was pressed into a larger-than-anticipated role with the Grizzlies this season. Memphis has been hit insanely hard by the injury bug and Roddy was one of the last players standing.
In 48 games, he averaged 8.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 23.2 minutes per game. He will provide the Suns with some insurance in the frontcourt, someone who can soak up minutes at the forward spots.
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