Kevin Durant Excited to Reunite with Royce O’Neale on Phoenix Suns
In a surprising move, the Phoenix Suns have acquired Royce O’Neale, making it the second time he and Kevin Durant will be teammates. Previously, they played together on the Brooklyn Nets during the 2022-23 season. After the Suns’ victory against the Jazz on February 8, Durant expressed his excitement about reuniting with O’Neale.
Durant spoke highly of O’Neale, describing him as a position-less basketball player who will greatly contribute to the team. “I love being around Royce and can’t wait to keep building with him as a person first and then as a teammate,” Durant said during his postgame press conference.
Durant believes that Suns fans will quickly develop an affinity for O’Neale due to his exceptional work ethic and passion for the game. “He just plays extremely hard, loves the game, loves his teammates. I think people in the Valley are going to love watching him,” Durant added.
O’Neale, known for his ability to guard multiple positions and connect with his teammates on offense, will be under contract with the Suns until the end of the 2023-24 season. The Suns, having traded their remaining assets and with Durant’s support, are expected to make the most of O’Neale’s skills.
During his first meeting with reporters since the trade, O’Neale expressed his happiness about playing with Durant once again. He revealed that Durant had previously told him they would be teammates again. “Just the opportunity and luxury to play with him again. He told me we were gonna be teammates again after he left Brooklyn, so here we are,” O’Neale shared.
The reunion between Durant and O’Neale is not only exciting for basketball fans but also holds significance due to their Texas connection. O’Neale was traded to the Suns on Thursday, further solidifying their partnership on the court.
In a stunning move, the Phoenix Suns have acquired Royce O’Neale from the Utah Jazz. O’Neale, known for his shooting efficiency and defensive skills, is expected to make a significant impact on the Suns’ roster. Playing alongside stars Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker, O’Neale’s shooting numbers are likely to improve even further. With an average of 7.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, O’Neale has proven himself to be a valuable asset on the court. Additionally, his career three-point shooting percentage of 38.1% speaks to his ability to make shots from beyond the arc.
The Suns made quite the sacrifice to acquire O’Neale, giving up three second-round picks as well as several players including Keita Bates-Diop, Yuta Watanabe, Chimezie Mezu, and Jordan Goodwin. However, they also managed to acquire David Roddy in the process, leaving them with two open roster spots to fill.
Interestingly, O’Neale will not be the only familiar face on the Suns’ roster. Grayson Allen, who played alongside O’Neale on the Utah Jazz during the 2018-19 season, expressed his excitement about reuniting with his former teammate. Allen praised O’Neale’s skills as a shooter and defender, highlighting his versatility on the court. It is clear that Allen believes O’Neale will be a valuable addition to the team.
With his previous experience playing with Durant and Allen, O’Neale is expected to seamlessly fit into the Suns’ system. His familiarity with his new teammates may help him adjust more quickly and efficiently. Although he has only played half a season with Durant and one season with Allen, O’Neale is determined to make the most of his time with them before the season comes to a close.
Overall, the acquisition of O’Neale is a major move for the Suns. With his shooting prowess and defensive abilities, he is poised to make a significant impact on the team’s performance. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how O’Neale will contribute to the Suns’ success in the coming games.
According to the Source heavy.com