We’re continuing our Bright Side series by exploring what success looks like for each Suns player in 2025–26.
Heading into his third season with the Phoenix Suns, Royce O’Neale’s value may be best served with another team at this point in his career and where the Suns are at as a franchise. While he’s been a consistent floor spacer and versatile defender for the Valley the past few seasons, heading into his age-32 season, what the Suns see as a successful season for Royce O’Neale may not mean he’s playing
for the Suns by the end of it
Averaging a career-high in points and three-point percentage last season, O’Neale played 75 games and had one of the best seasons of his career. Having started for multiple playoff teams throughout his career, he’s a proven veteran forward who can be a solid bench contributor in high-stake games. He hasn’t been able to show that off much with his time in Phoenix, considering the struggles the team has had, and after the Valley traded away Kevin Durant and bought out Bradley Beal this summer, it appears the team will not be in many high-stake contests this upcoming season.
While he can provide a veteran presence as the oldest player on the roster and playing in nearly 50 playoff games, second-year forward Ryan Dunn projects to be the team’s full-time starting power forward next to Dillon Brooks, with the Suns going in a younger direction. He’s going into the second year of his contract he signed last offseason, and is not extension eligible. A good season for O’Neale, whether he plays it all in the Valley or elsewhere, is maintaining his value as a floor spacing forward that can switch on defense.
O’Neale has started numerous games in his time in the Valley for matchup purposes and to replace Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal when they were injured. In 30 games as a starter for Phoenix over the past two seasons, he averaged 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3 assists, sizably more than what he averages when he comes off the bench.
If he has a strong season, that will bode well for him and the Suns. O’Neale’s play style could be a desirable one for many teams trying to upgrade around the trade deadline, especially in the Western Conference with how many elite wings there are. If the Valley opts to trade him at anytime throughout the year and DO NOT have to attach any of their limited draft capital, it means that Phoenix is likely receiving a pick or a young player, and that O’Neale is being traded to a spot where he’s going to play and not just be part of a salary dump deal. In recent NBA history, we’ve seen teams have to attach a first-round pick to trade players with even just two years left on a contract if its considered a bad one, let alone three. While he’s projected to make around $10.5 million over the next three seasons, in a money-tight NBA economy with the new CBA, every dollar counts.
A successful year for Royce O’Neale and what the Suns consider a good year for him may not match, but both would benefit from him playing well and maintaining his same play style.
Listen to the latest podcast episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below.
Stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, Castbox.
Please subscribe, rate, and review.
