It would be an understatement to say that the Phoenix Suns’ expectations for the 2023–24 season were not met. At the start of the season, the Suns were one of the favorites to win the championship. That did not materialize. The Minnesota Timberwolves dominated them in the opening round. The organization has already made significant adjustments and modifications as a result of that outcome. There will be more, like which players to re-sign in the NBA’s 2024 free agency class.
There aren’t many upcoming free agents in Phoenix, but a few of them played significant roles for the club. The team is already far into its second apron, so if they don’t keep players like Royce O’Neale and Bol Bol, they won’t have many options for replacements. Before losing these two for nothing, the Suns need to figure out how to get them back in some fashion.
For several reasons, Phoenix should give bringing back forward Royce O’Neale top priority. To start with, the Suns used almost all of their limited trade leverage to acquire him from the Brooklyn Nets around the trade deadline. To acquire him, they gave three second-round selections to Brooklyn. Now, Phoenix has two second-round picks left in tradeable positions.
O’Neale’s strong performance for Phoenix upon his arrival is another factor. He was exactly what the Suns needed from a three-and-d wing, as advertised. In the thirty regular season games that he dressed for in the desert, O’Neale shot 37.6% from three on 5.2 tries per game. That’s roughly what he aims for in terms of career (38.1%). He had a strong defense as well.
Royce O’Neale has fit Phoenix like a glove
in Royces 55 non garbage time minutes so far, the Suns have a 40.9 Net rating and an 85.1 DRTG (yes I’m not kidding)
Opponents are shooting 14% when defended by him (per 2nd Spectrum), and he has 9 STL+BLK in just 3 games
Highlights⬇️ pic.twitter.com/sH65X5bKXm
— RB Insiders (RBSPN) (@RyB_311) February 15, 2024
There are just not enough two-way guys on the Suns’ roster. Even two of their biggest players, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker, focus more of their efforts on the offensive end of the court. But O’Neale does a great job playing both ends. The Suns’ lineup adaptability is unlocked by that ability. They simply cannot afford to lose him as a player.
Both in high school and when he first joined the league, Bol Bol was the subject of a lot of excitement. It’s understandable why. At 7 feet 3 inches tall and 220 pounds, he possesses remarkable dexterity and nimbleness for his height. But he spent the first three years of his career on the bench due to a foot injury and joining the Denver Nuggets, a team full of veterans.
Bol didn’t had an opportunity to showcase his abilities until the previous campaign with the Orlando Magic. Despite having a respectable number of games played off the bench (70), he had little effect on the team’s outcome. With the Suns this year, that was altered. Phoenix was wise to take a chance on him and his special set of abilities.
Bol had the best season of his professional life. In terms of three-point percentage (42.3%), effective field goal percentage (68.9%), and field goal percentage (61.6%), he set career highs. In addition, Bol recorded his greatest scoring and rebounding averages of 17.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per 36 minutes throughout his brief NBA career. In addition, he may have played the finest defense of his career.
Bol Bol is *working* on defense. pic.twitter.com/OSIzJvwakN
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) March 3, 2024
Bol is by no means a polished product, but he can still offer an NBA team—especially Phoenix—a lot. Outside of Durant, the Suns’ frontcourt lacks depth and adaptability. Bol can spell Jusuf Nurkic as the backup center or play next to Durant. He also gives their three stars plenty of floor spacing if his three-point shooting percentage holds true.
When it comes to their depth in the offseason, the Suns have no say in the matter. This past season, O’Neale and Bolt both supplied them with more than sufficient two-way play. It would be prudent for them to retain them and receive comparable output in the future.
