The Phoenix Suns made a significant move in their quest to bolster their roster by acquiring Royce O'Neale from the Brooklyn Nets and David Roddy from the Memphis Grizzlies. This swap involved a trio of second-round picks, and the news was officially announced on Thursday.
As part of the deal, the Brooklyn Nets received Keita Bates-Diop and Jordan Goodwin, adding depth to their lineup. On the other hand, the Memphis Grizzlies acquired Yuta Watanabe and Chimezie Metu. Additionally, the Grizzlies secured a future first-round pick swap from the Suns, enhancing their long-term prospects.
Royce O'Neale brings valuable skills to the Suns as a proven volume 3-point shooter and a solid defender on the wing. At 30 years old, he adds depth to the team's roster and could be a great fit alongside Phoenix's star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. O'Neale's ability to contribute immediately makes him a potential member of the Suns' closing lineups, particularly if they opt to play small with Durant at center in specific matchups.
The acquisition of Beal in the offseason pushed the Suns beyond the recently established second apron, which limits their flexibility moving forward. While the Suns will have multiple roster spots available to pursue players in the buyout market, new regulations restrict them to signing players who made less than the average player salary of $12.4 million this season. Consequently, options like guards Spencer Dinwiddie and Kyle Lowry may be off the table.
David Roddy, the 23rd overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, joins the Suns with an intriguing skill set. Currently averaging 8.4 points and shooting 30% from 3-point range, Roddy presents another promising young talent for Phoenix to develop. The Suns have made several moves over the past year, leaving their roster somewhat devoid of young players. Roddy's arrival offers an opportunity to add youthful potential to their lineup.
In a related move, the Memphis Grizzlies waived guard Victor Oladipo. The Grizzlies obtained Oladipo in a trade with the Houston Rockets on February 1st but ultimately decided to part ways with him.
Overall, the Phoenix Suns' acquisition of Royce O'Neale and David Roddy demonstrates their commitment to strengthening their roster for a deep playoff run. With O'Neale's shooting and defensive skills and Roddy's youthful potential, the Suns aim to maximize their chances of success in the highly competitive NBA landscape. As fans eagerly await the outcome of this trade, it remains to be seen how these additions will impact the Suns' pursuit of a championship title.
