Inside The Suns

Suns 'Really Excited' for Fresh Faces After Deadline

The Phoenix Suns are excited to add Royce O'Neale and David Roddy to the puzzle.
Donnie Druin|
Suns 'Really Excited' for Fresh Faces After Deadline
Suns 'Really Excited' for Fresh Faces After Deadline

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Phoenix Suns

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns have some new talent.

The trade deadline is officially over, and the Suns made good on rumors of them looking to make a move after acquiring Royce O'Neale and David Roddy in a three-team deal with the Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets. 

“Royce and David both bring a competitive mindset and defensive intensity that improves our team as we continue our drive to win an NBA Championship,” said James Jones in a statement.

“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. David possesses exceptional strength and physicality, bringing energy whenever he steps on the court.”

More about the two players from the official release:

Royce O'Neale

"O’Neale (6’-6”, 226 pounds) is averaging 7.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 24.5 minutes over 49 games with the Nets this season, also shooting 36.6% from three-point range. He has posted 15 games scoring in double figures this season, 12 games recording both a block and a steal and two double-doubles this season. Against Chicago on Nov. 26 of this season, O’Neale matched his career highs by scoring 20 points with six made three-pointers. 

"Currently in his seventh NBA season, O’Neale holds career averages of 6.7 points on 42.7% shooting from the field and 38.1% from three-point range plus 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 495 career games with the Nets and Utah Jazz. He has started 289 games in his career, helping contribute to a .640 winning percentage for his teams in games he has started. O’Neale has also appeared in 44 career playoff games across six trips to the postseason, averaging 8.0 points on 44.7% shooting from the field and 37.2% from three-point range plus 5.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 30.8 minutes with 29 starts. Following his collegiate career at Denver University and Baylor University, O’Neale played two seasons internationally before joining the NBA with Utah in 2017."

David Roddy

"Roddy (6’-4”, 255 pounds) is averaging career bests of 8.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 23.2 minutes over 48 games with the Grizzlies this season. He has posted 18 games scoring in double figures in 2023-24, including a season-high 19 points against Utah on Nov. 29. Roddy has also recorded two double-digit rebounding games this season with both coming over the last two weeks.

"Currently in his second professional season, Roddy entered the league as a first-round pick, the 23rd overall selection in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Colorado State University. In 118 career games, all with Memphis, Roddy has averaged 7.4 points on 41.6% shooting from the field plus 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 20.1 minutes with 17 starts. He also appeared in all six playoff games for Memphis last postseason, averaging 3.8 points in 12.7 minutes. In addition to his NBA experience, Roddy played in four games with the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League in 2022-23, averaging 20.5 points and 4.3 rebounds."

Suns players and coaches have already spoken on their new additions: 

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Donnie Druin
DONNIE DRUIN

Donnie Druin is the Publisher for Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns On SI. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with the company since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!

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