REPORT: Phoenix Suns plan to re-sign forward Royce O’Neale

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Phoenix Suns are planning to re-sign forward Royce O’Neale, marking their first roster re-signing this offseason.

O’Neale was acquired by the Suns at the trade deadline last season in exchange for three second-round picks. Throughout 30 games with Phoenix to end the season, O’Neale averaged 25.1 minutes, 8.1 points, and 5.2 rebounds per game. Although he primarily came off the bench, O’Neale did see some time in the starting lineup as the Suns grappled with injuries and inconsistencies.

During the Suns’ four-game sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves, O’Neale struggled heavily, scoring just six points combined through the final three games and shooting 2-12 from the field during this span.

The 30-year-old began his career with the Utah Jazz, where he played for five seasons. He then joined the Brooklyn Nets for a season and a half before being traded to Phoenix.

Throughout his NBA career, Royce O’Neale has appeared in 44 playoff games, averaging 8.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. His standout performance occurred during the 2021 playoffs when Utah held the top seed and advanced to the Western Conference semifinals. In that postseason run, O’Neale started all 11 games, posting averages of 11.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 50.6% from the field and 46.7% from three-point range.

On a podcast with ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon, Brian Windhorst noted, “They’re going to re-sign Royce O’Neale. That’s going to get done.”

O’Neale’s four-year, $36 million contract, which he signed with the Jazz ahead of the 2020 season, makes the veteran an unrestricted free agent this offseason.