The Suns are reportedly attempting to reunite Kevin Durant with
one in all his former teammates from the Brooklyn Nets — Royce O’Neale.
In keeping with Brian Lewis of New York Post, per NetsDaily, the Suns have
supplied Nassir Little and two second-round picks to the Nets for O’Neale, who’s
on an expiring $9.5 million contract. The report added that the Cavaliers and Pacers have additionally had exploratory talks with the Nets on a possible O’Neal commerce.
It was beforehand reported that the Nets were seeking at least a first-round pick or an equal participant for O’Neale, a prototypical 3-and-D wing coveted across the league for his defensive versatility and perimeter taking pictures. Nonetheless, with the NBA commerce deadline barely hours away, the Nets could possibly be pressured to accept a lesser supply for O’Neale, per The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie.
“I don’t suppose O’Neale will return a first-round decide, however he may yield some lower-level draft capital for a Nets workforce that wants all of the youth it may discover, whatever the franchise’s total course,” Veceniewrote in his trade deadline preview article.
Apart from O’Neale, the Nets are reportedly holding a fireplace sale by putting others equivalent to Dorian Finney-Smith, Dennis Smith Jr. and Spencer
Dinwiddie additionally in the marketplace. Nic Claxton was one other Web beforehand believed to be obtainable, however a number of insiders have dominated out the opportunity of Brooklyn
delivery the athletic massive man.
As for the Suns, the addition of O’Neale may show to be important,
given his familiarity with taking part in alongside Durant and his means to protect
a number of positions. The Suns at the moment have a really skinny rotation, with solely
Eric Gordon and Josh Okogie receiving constant minutes off the bench. Going into
the playoffs, Suns coach Frank Vogel would like to have a lockdown defender
and profession 38 % three-point shooter equivalent to O’Neale to rely upon.