NBA rumors: Suns set to re-sign key player to 4-year contract
06/25/2024 07:53 PM
NBA free agency is rapidly approaching and the Phoenix Suns have a couple of decisions to make regarding their roster. One key player for the Suns who is set to hit free agency is Royce O’Neale. But he might not get a chance to hit the open market once Sunday evening rolls around.
Royce O’Neale is reportedly close to an agreement to re-sign with the Suns in NBA free agency on a four-year contract as per NBA insider Marc Stein. O’Neale was acquired by the Suns in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets last season at the NBA Trade Deadline.
O’Neale suited up in 30 regular season games for the Suns, including eight starts, at a little over 25 minutes per game. He averaged 8.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists with splits of 41.1 percent shooting from the field, 37.6 percent shooting from the three-point line and 69.2 percent shooting from the free-throw line.
During the Suns four-game sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, O’Neale’s numbers dropped. He averaged 5.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists with splits of 31.8 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent shooting from the three-point line.
Despite the drop in efficiency in the playoffs, O’Neale was one of the Suns most consistent role players during a season in which their bench depth was often questioned. He’s a capable three-point shooter, rebounder and overall solid defensive player. If the Suns want to be a contender in the Western Conference, re-signing O’Neale is crucial to that end.
Mike Budenholzer ushers in new start for Suns
The Suns made a drastic decision following their first round playoff loss to the Wolves by firing head coach Frank Vogel after only one season. The Suns struggled to find consistent play throughout the year, but did manage to pull together to solidify a playoff spot.
The organization will now turn to Mike Budenholzer to try and right the ship. Budenholzer led the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2021 NBA championship. He took the past year off after the Bucks let him go following their first round playoff loss to the Miami Heat in the 2023 postseason.
Budenholzer began his coaching career in the NBA ahead of the 1996-97 season as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs. He got his first head coaching job with the Atlanta Hawks ahead of the 2013-14 season. His Hawks teams put together strong regular seasons, but were unable to turn that into playoff success. He left the Hawks following the 2017-18 season.
He inherits a roster that features a Big 3 in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. The Suns starting lineup is as good as anyone in the league. It’s their bench that could use work. Backup big man Drew Eubanks has already opted in to his contract for the 2024-25 season. The team is also awaiting Eric Gordon’s decision to opt in to his contract or not.
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