John Hefti-Imagn Images

Is Suns’ Royce O’Neale a necessity or an accessory in 2025-2026?

Originally posted on Burn City Sports
By Tanner Tortorella | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 11:40 AM ET

Despite the many lowlights of last season for the Phoenix Suns, guard Royce O’Neale had a career season, recording his highest marks in points and 3-point percentage in a season. O’Neale was the ultimate team player on an underachiever roster, which naturally broaches the question on whether the 32-year-old should be trade at his peak value to recoup some assets down the line.

If the 6’4 guard remained in the Valley, he would likely continue to build upon his exceptional production in 2024-2025, as the departure of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.

O’Neale stats prediction for Suns in 2025-2026:

MPG: 27.3
PPG: 9.9
RPG: 4.1
APG: 1.6
3PT%: 37.8%

O’Neale has a real chance to average double digits in the first time in his career. The starting lineup is set, with O’Neale being delegated to a full-time bench role. However, the move isn’t negative, as the Suns’ bench has plenty of questions marks surrounding it scoring-wise. Many are inexperienced players, who haven’t been relied on being sparkplugs off the bench.

Fellow guard Grayson Allen and O’Neale are sharpshooters, both being 40% shooters last season. The difference between the two is O’Neale has nearly 30 pounds on Allen and could be trusted to guard wings on the perimeter with the added weight to his frame.

Regardless of the weight, O’Neale is still undersized at 6’4 and his age doesn’t fit Phoenix’s timeline in its rebuild. The roster has a surplus of 6’4 and under guards, thus making O’Neale a luxury that the team can’t afford.

Undoubtably, the eight-year NBA veteran can put out another stellar season for the Suns, but his greatest value is what he can bring back to the franchise. Talks have already intensified over the Summer as him being in trades rumors for Golden State Warriors Jonathan Kuminga.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: