Surprisingly, Royce O’Neale is the best chance of the Suns to win a prize

Phoenix Suns fans begged for a change in the aftermath of a 36-win season in 2024-25, and they certainly got their wishes with the departure of both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. The Front Office chooses to re-form their selection around the talents of the 28-year-old superstar Devin Booker, and gives him an extension of his current deal.

The Suns cannot be made much in the mix for next season, with even a play-in place that looks hopeful at the moment. Only only factors outside of their control – such as one recently took place in Europe – could they see the play -off race in problems, but strange things have happened. That is why the Suns does not praise the next time -out in an end of the year, with the exception of one.

Royce O’Neale can win the Sixth Man of the Year Award.

Doesn’t seem like a rack? You probably expected that Grayson would also be all at this place, especially given what we recently said about him. But if you operate in the conviction that all is in the trade block – and he was certainly mentioned as a player with whom the Suns would like to be separated to acquire Jonathan Kuminga – then it is unclear what his role will be if he lingers.

O’Neale, on the other hand, is that bit older at 32 – and although he too could have some commercial interest – there has not been much talking about him so far. He will also not start in Phoenix, who will transfer the franchise to Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and even Ryan Dunn in the search 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 that O’Neale can hastily heat up the couch. But where his case may get off the ground for a price here, is because the Suns may also need him to deal with certain line -ups for his teammates.

For example, if he plays next to Nick Richards or Kaman Maluach, they need a veteran like O’Neale to feed them the ball in their spots. You would think that this would be the task of Back -Up Point Guard Collin Gillespie – and that is – few players have bigger questions about them on their way to this season.

Fans love the heart of Gillespie and desire to compete defensively, and keeping him in the neighborhood was the right move to make. But full-time backup is a jump in responsibility, and O’Neale could occasionally be chips while he can also score in double digits in a whole season, an achievement that he has never managed in one way or another.

If the Suns also overwhelmed a few teams and can be in the play-off mix after the All-Star break, O’Neale as the sixth man is the most likely outcome for recognition. Booker does not win MVP and there is certainly no defensive player of the year hiding in Phoenix. Koby Brea for Rookie of the Year? Remove those suns from your head. O’Neale could make a sneaky run here.