If we were to try and sum up Royce O'Neale in one word for the Phoenix Suns this season, it would be steady. He's never the first name spoken about by fans or media alike after any game.
In fact he's often not spoken about at all, despite already starting more games this season (26), than he managed all of last year (22). He's just there every night, and also hasn't been hampered by injuries like many of his teammates.
Importance of O'Neale increasing in absence of Grayson Allen
Although O'Neale is now 32-years-old and looks like a prime trade candidate for the Suns, the opposite should be the case. He should be the veteran that the franchise keeps around for some time yet.
That's because Grayson Allen has been hit by a knee injury which has curtailed his involvement, having also missed some time last season with an ankle issue.
He is two years O'Neale's junior, and even though he has missed time still looks like the better trade candidate of the two. Yet another reason for the Suns to want to hold onto O'Neale.
And with that exquisite ball movement, Royce O'Neale says goodnight New Orleans pic.twitter.com/gxAFfwECDT
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) December 28, 2025
The reality is there's nobody else on this roster (when Allen is out) who has the size to guard bigger wings (and also on occasion Victor Wembanyama), while also consistently being a 3-point threat.
It has flown under the radar, but not only are the 6.2 attempts a career high from deep, so too are the 42 percent O'Neale is connecting on. That has been extremely valuable to the Suns' offense.
Although they have guys like Collin Gillespie and Dillon Brooks who can do plenty in their own right, beyond O'Neale they just don't have that player profile on the roster right now.
Head coach Jordan Ott clearly values Isaiah Livers, while Jordan Goodwin and Jamaree Bouyea have exceeded expectations. But look at the rest of the rotation that is winning games.
Mark Williams, Nick Richards, Rasheer Fleming, Oso Ighodaro and Ryan Dunn (when healthy), there's not a consistent offensive game outside of the paint between them.
They are all big and relatively mobile forwards/centers, and coach Ott should be commended for building what is somehow a league average offense (114.7 points per game) around them.
But it is O'Neale who brings something different starting alongside Gillespie, Brooks, Williams and Devin Booker, and the Suns should keep that around for as long as they can.
O'Neale causes no fuss, moves without the ball and never complains about the shots he doesn't get to take. The model professional, and an unassuming part of the success in The Valley this season.