Welcome to the 2024-25 Phoenix Suns Season Preview series, where we embark on a comprehensive journey through the roster. In this series, we’ll break down individual player previews, offering a detailed look at each member of the Suns’ lineup. We’ll recap their performance from last season, highlighting key moments and areas of growth, and analyze how their skills, experience, and roles will contribute to the team’s championship aspirations.

Whether it’s the seasoned veterans or the rising stars, each player has a unique role in what could be a defining season for the franchise. Join us as we explore the potential and challenges that lie ahead for the Suns in their pursuit of basketball glory.

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Royce O’Neale

Forward, 6’4”, 226 pounds, 31 years old, 7 years of NBA experience

Reliable Royce. Durable, consistent, and low-maintenance. The type of versatile wing role player that every NBA team wants. He plays almost every game, can space the floor, and can guard multiple positions. He’s the ideal role player for the modern NBA.

He was a starter on the 2020-2021 Utah Jazz Team that won 52 games in a shortened season. While he’s not someone you would build a franchise around, he’s been one of the best role players in the NBA for over half a decade and will look to keep his streak of never missing the playoffs alive this season with the star-studded Phoenix Suns Roster.

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2023-24 Recap

O’Neale started the year with the Brooklyn Nets, where he averaged 7.4 points per game and shot 36.6 percent from three. At the trade deadline, he was traded to the Valley where he played in 30 games and averaged 8.1 points per game, and shot 37.6 percent from three.

The addition of O’Neale was another example of the Suns’ front office's willingness to do whatever it takes to win. Limited with assets, Phoenix gave up multiple draft picks to acquire O’Neale. He didn’t solve the Suns’ depth problems but gave them a versatile wing that can space the floor and guard elite wing players, a prototype the team lacked since they traded away Mikal Bridges to get Kevin Durant.

His experience playing with Durant for the Brooklyn Nets helped him play a significant role quickly. When starters missed time, Frank Vogel went to O’Neale to replace them in the starting lineup. He was featured in many small ball lineups alongside Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, and Kevin Durant, often playing power forward.

In the playoffs, O’Neale struggled in Phoenix’s four playoff games. He scored just 20 total points in their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves and shot an abysmal 31.8 percent from the field. He played mostly small forward and power forward last year in the Valley.

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Contract Details

O’Neale signed a four-year, $44 million contract to return to the Suns at the beginning of Free Agency. His contract can be easily traded, making him a candidate for any deal that the Suns make. He is the sixth highest-paid player on the Valley.

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Strengths & Weaknesses

O’Neale is versatile, which is why he just inked a multi-year contract worth over $11 million annually even at the age of 31. He doesn’t need the ball to make an impact and his ability to stretch the floor and defend at a high level makes him playable in virtually every lineup the Suns put out.

Despite being undersized, he is physical, competes, and is experienced. He has a 6’9” wingspan that helps make up for his lack of height on defense when he’s guarding elite forwards like Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, and Jayson Tatum.

As a shooter, he can get super hot from three. When he hit six threes on ten attempts against the Los Angeles Lakers last season, he showed Valley fans what he’s capable of from deep.

O’Neale isn’t the type to severely hurt a team, but at times he doesn’t always help them. He’s a limited shot creator. If the Suns ever are relying on him for offense, they are in trouble. 5.2 of his 7.1 shot attempts per game were from three last season with Phoenix. This far into his career, it’s unlikely he will ever become more than just a three-point threat on offense.

Just as he’ll have strong shooting outings, he’ll also have poor ones. O’Neale had a stretch for the Suns last season where he didn’t score a point for two consecutive games, going 0-9 from the field and 0-7 from three in that span.

Playing the power forward position on defense is something he CAN do, but at his size, if Kevin Durant, or Bol Bol on the floor, it’s better they take the other team’s four man.

As a role player, O’Neale plays his role.

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One Key Factor

It’ll be interesting to see where Head Coach Mike Budenholzer plays him with. The Suns have much more depth than they did a season ago, and as of right now, he’s slated to be the backup small forward. An increased role for Bol Bol, and Mason Plumlee taking the center minutes should prevent him from playing much in the front court in traditional lineups.

The Suns will want to go small at times, but now they have point guards to do it with. I’m curious to see his role on offense when Tyus Jones is running the point and the Big Three are on the court with him. Is he standing in the corner? Setting screens? Playing inside? We shall see.

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Prediction Time

Expect another solid, non-spectacular season from the three and defense specialist. Budenholzer’s track record of running offenses that revolve around taking a ton of threes should benefit O’Neale. His first training camp with the team will give him more familiarity with his teammates and the organization.

He’ll have a few games where he makes a ton of massive defensive stops and knocks down a bunch of triples, and he’ll have performances where he is a no-show on offense and goes 0-7 from deep. As usual, expect him to be very durable and someone who can be relied on to be in the lineup.

70 games played, 7.8 PPG, 2.6 APG, 4.2 RPG, 0.9 SPG on 41/38/72 shooting splits.

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Final Thoughts

The Suns wanted to get versatile wing at last year’s trade deadline and they got one in Royce O’Neale. Him on the roster is an example of Mat Ishbia and company’s willingness to do whatever it takes to win, and determination to accomplish what they want to accomplish.

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Read other 2024-25 Player Previews right here: