Report: Suns, Royce O’Neale to agree to new 4-year deal

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The Phoenix Suns are shoring up their roster by reportedly re-signing a key rotation player.

ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that forward Royce O’Neale intends to sign a four-year, $44 million deal to return to the Suns.

Wojnarowski said O’Neale’s agents have been negotiating the contract for months, and now this long-term deal ensures O’Neale remains a critical piece in the Suns’ hopes to return to the NBA Finals and bring a championship to the Valley.

O’Neale arrived to the Suns as part of a February trade deadline deal with the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies.

“Royce and David (Roddy) both bring a competitive mindset and defensive intensity that improves our team as we continue our drive to win an NBA Championship,” James Jones, Suns president of basketball operations and general manager, said in a written statement at the time of the trade acquiring O’Neale. “Royce is a very intelligent and disruptive defender, capable of guarding multiple positions, also adding significant playoff experience and reliable three-point shooting to our roster.”

With the Suns last season, O’Neale averaged 8.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.9 steals per game. He started eight games.