Phoenix Suns fans begged for change in the wake of a 36 win season in 2024-25, and they sure got their wishes with the departures of both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. The front office choosing to re-shape their roster around the talents of 28-year-old superstar Devin Booker, as well as giving him an extension on his current deal.
The Suns don't figure to be in the mix for much next season, with even a play-in spot looking hopeful at this point. Only factors beyond their control - such as one that took place in Europe recently - could see them trouble the playoff race, but stranger things have happened. Which is why the Suns aren't going to figure in any end of year awards next time out, with the exception of one.
Royce O'Neale can win Sixth Man of the Year award.
Seems a stretch doesn't it? You were probably expecting Grayson Allen to be in this spot as well, especially given what we said about him recently. But if you operate under the belief that Allen is on the trade block - and he certainly was mentioned as a player the Suns would have gladly parted with to acquire Jonathan Kuminga - then it is unclear just what his role will be if he does stick around.
Phoenix @Suns forward Royce O’Neale hosted his 4th youth basketball camp at Harker Heights High School.
— Madison Palumbo (@MadisonTPalumbo) August 10, 2025
Heights is O’Neale’s alma mater as he loves coming back home to support the community. 150 kids packed the gym to enhance their basketball skills from a professional 🏀@NBA pic.twitter.com/atR5IbniBm
O'Neale on the other hand is that bit older at 32 - and although he too could have some trade interest - to this point there hasn't been much talk about him. He's also not going to start in Phoenix either, who will turn the franchise over to the likes of Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and even Ryan Dunn in the quest to get Booker more help.
But as a player who shot a career high 40.6 percent from deep last season - albeit when he had Durant and Beal as teammates - we know O'Neale can heat up off the bench in a hurry. But where his case for an award might actually get off the ground here is because the Suns may also need him to create some for his teammates with certain lineups.
If he's playing alongside Nick Richards or Khaman Maluach for example, then they will need a veteran like O'Neale to feed them the ball in their spots. You would think this would be the job of backup point guard Collin Gillespie - and it is - but few players have bigger question marks hanging over them heading into this season.
Fans love Gillespie's heart and desire to compete defensively, and keeping him around was the right move to make. But full-time backup is a jump up in responsibility, and O'Neale could chip in occasionally while also aiming to score in double-digits across a whole season, a feat he has somehow never managed.
If the Suns can also catch a few teams off guard and find themselves in the playoff mix after the All-Star break, O'Neale as the sixth man is the most likely outcome for recognition. Booker won't win MVP and there certainly isn't a Defensive Player of the Year hiding in Phoenix either. Koby Brea for Rookie of the Year? Take those Suns-tinted glasses off your head. O'Neale could make a sneaky run here.