According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale plans to sign a four-year, $44 million contract to remain with the team. After being moved by the Brooklyn Nets ahead of the trade deadline last season, the 31-year-old appeared in 30 games for the Suns, averaging 8.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 37.6% from deep. Phoenix doesn't have much cap space to work with this offseason, so retaining O'Neale is a big move for a team hoping to enter the championship conversation. While he won't be a consistent starter, he should play enough to give him value for fantasy managers. O'Neale's shooting percentage from deep will make him even more coveted by category participants.
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Phoenix Suns are expected to re-sign forward Royce O'Neale. The veteran was traded to Phoenix from Brooklyn ahead of the deadline and immediately provided much-needed depth to a team with minimal options on the bench. O'Neale appeared in 30 games for Phoenix, starting eight, averaging 8.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. With Phoenix strapped for cash and having little flexibility to make moves this offseason, O'Neale should get his share of minutes. Considering Devin Booker and Bradley Beal had trouble staying healthy, there's a realistic chance O'Neale will get some runs with the first five throughout the 2024-25 campaign, assuming he re-signs with Phoenix.
Royce O'Neale Trending Up, Starts For Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale played 33 minutes in Sunday's 118-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, gathering nine points on 3-for-10 shooting, four assists, three rebounds, three three-pointers, and two blocks. Starting in place of the injured Devin Booker (ankle), O'Neale delivered the low-end goods fantasy managers have grown accustomed to over the veteran swingman's career. With Phoenix expecting Booker to miss at least the next week of play, O'Neale is someone nine-category managers should be prioritizing on waiver wires ahead of Tuesday's showdown against the Denver Nuggets. Across nine starts during 2023-24, the 30-year-old three-and-D wing is averaging 10.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.1 triples, and 2.4 combined steals plus blocks but faces a difficult task against a Nuggets squad that's surrendering the fewest fantasy points to opposing small forwards.
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Royce O'Neale will slide into the starting five ahead of Thursday's game against the Houston Rockets. The Suns are in need of help with Bradley Beal (hamstring) and Eric Gordon (groin) both sidelined. O'Neale contributed 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals during Sunday's game. It's hard to imagine him having the same type of performance again. However, fantasy managers should expect at least a fairly decent game from O'Neale considering the Suns are banged up. Fantasy managers should go ahead and take a chance on O'Neale if they need help for Thursday's slate.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Suns, Grizzlies, and Nets completed a three-team trade ahead of Thursday's deadline. Notably, Brooklyn will send forward Royce O'Neale to Phoenix. The 30-year-old has played for two teams throughout his career, the Jazz and Nets. He's averaged 6.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting 38.1% from deep. O'Neale has been a top trade target for many teams around the National Basketball Association for a while now, so the move shouldn't surprise anyone. Although he likely won't be a routine fantasy contributor, he'll provide Phoenix with much-needed depth. That said, O'Neale will probably start here or there moving ahead, meaning there should be some streaming opportunities for fantasy managers.
Dorian Finney-Smith, Royce O'Neale Could Be On The Move
Brooklyn Nets forwards Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O'Neale are two of three players seemingly on the trade block ahead of the NBA's trade deadline on February 8. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Nets are listening to offers on both of their veteran forwards and Spencer Dinwiddie. They're expected to look for deals on just these three vets while the rest of the roster is expected to stay in Brooklyn at least until this offseason. Finney-Smith and O'Neale are two prototypical 3-and-D wings that many playoff contenders could use. It's unclear right now what the Nets are expecting in return and whether or not it would be a package of picks plus younger players or one of the two.
Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Royce O'Neale (hip) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday's encounter with Orlando. After sitting out one game, the 30-year-old appears ready to return to the lineup. O'Neale had a couple of outstanding scoring outings before suffering a hip contusion, putting up 38 total points in meetings with Chicago and Toronto. He has averaged a versatile line, mainly as a bench player in 2023-24, logging 8.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 29.9 minutes. The Magic have impressed with their defense, and it's tough to score against them, so O'Neale's habit of doing a little bit of everything should help him be effective in Saturday's matchup.
Brooklyn Nets forward Royce O'Neale had his contract guaranteed by the organization on Monday. The 30-year-old is set to make $9.5 million for the upcoming 2023-2024 campaign. O'Neale gives the Nets another versatile playmaker and reliable defender on the perimeter. The expectation is that Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson are going to start on the wings. That means, O'Neale will likely come off the bench, but he could still contribute at a decent level with the second unit. He averaged 8.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 31.7 minutes last season. His fantasy value is going to be dependent on what kind of role he can secure this next season.
Brooklyn Nets forward Royce O'Neale (knee) is questionable ahead of Sunday's meeting in Orlando. He logged 27 minutes on Saturday evening against the Miami Heat, finishing with eight points, two blocks, and one steal. However, the 29-year-old has a sore left knee and may sit this one out. If that's the case, Dorian Finney-Smith should see additional minutes, so he's worth a look for those needing a streaming option.
Brooklyn Nets forward Royce O'Neale (knee) will sit Thursday's game versus the Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets are sitting multiple starters ahead of a back-to-back and O'Neale will get the same treatment as he deals with some knee soreness. Cam Thomas and Yuta Watanabe should re-enter the rotation on Thursday with the lengthy injury report.
