Rumors have begun to circulate that free agent forward Royce O’Neale will end up signing a four-year contract to remain with the Suns, Marc Stein writes in his latest Substack story.
The Suns have long been expected to re-sign O’Neale, since they’ll be over the second tax apron and wouldn’t be in position to sign an equivalent replacement if he heads elsewhere. However, there has been a belief that they’ll likely have to go up to three or four years in order to retain the three-and-D wing to make up for the fact that other suitors may offer him a shorter-term deal with a more lucrative starting salary.
Phoenix has five more days left in its exclusive negotiating window with O’Neale. If he hasn’t agreed to terms by the time the free agent period opens on Sunday evening, he’ll be able to negotiate with other clubs.
Here’s more from Stein’s latest rumor roundup:
- Securing a four-year contract is a goal for Paul George this summer, according to Stein, who suggests that chatter about George’s willingness to consider signing with a cap-room team or pushing for a change of scenery in an opt-in-and-trade scenario may be aimed at convincing the Clippers to put that fourth year on the table. There has been a sense that staying in Los Angeles would ultimately be George’s preference, but the club has seemingly only offered him a three-year deal thus far.
- While it remains unclear whether the Hawks would prefer to trade Trae Young or Dejounte Murray this offseason, it’s worth noting that the Pelicans are “known to be longtime admirers” of Murray, Stein writes. New Orleans is believed to be open to a roster shake-up this summer, with forward Brandon Ingram viewed as a strong candidate to be dealt.
- It’s still hard to find many people around the NBA who think OG Anunoby will leave the Knicks as a free agent, Stein writes, pointing out that Sam Rose – one of Anunoby’s agents at CAA – is the son of Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose.
- The Pistons‘ head coaching search may move quicker than initially anticipated, Stein writes, adding that James Borrego, Sean Sweeney, and Micah Nori are the “foremost known candidates.” Borrego is believed to have a leg up due to his time together with new Pistons head of basketball operations Trajan Langdon in New Orleans, Stein notes. However, both Sweeney and Nori have spent time in the organization, having worked on Dwane Casey‘s staff from 2018-21.
Seems like common sense is all you need to know which pg the Hawks are gonna trade. I understand teams may want Dejounte but he’s not going anywhere.
If they get some absurd trade offer, you deal Trae. If you got the PG13 to the Clippers trade, you pull the trigger.
They’re both good players but if it weren’t for their contract situations I’d much rather have Trae. Trae’s offensive skill set is much harder to replicate, he’s much better at creating his own shot and for others and he can score from all three levels. While Murray’s better on the defensive end he seems to have lost a step there and settles for dribbling into midrange jumpers too much for my taste.
If they get a great offer sure I’d consider trading Trae but then they’d have to consider embracing the youth movement and trading Murray, Capela and Bogdanovìc as well. Build around the number 1 pick, Johnson, Bufkin, Griffin, Okongwu and the picks they got from the Murray and Young trades.
I’ve seen way more of Dejounte with ATL than with SAS but I can tell you he’s still very much elite as a defender. I agree it’s almost impossible to replicate Trae’s effect on the offense but the Hawks don’t need a high usage guy like Trae tbh. We got other guys that can run offense, specifically Dejounte. Bogdan is a solid playmaker & Dre is a guy that could handle a bigger load as well. But the emergence of Jalen has made Trae sorta unnecessary for us offensively. And while he’s marginally better than Dejounte offensively it’s not even close bw those guys defensively. Our main problem as a team is our defense. Trading Trae makes us a much better defensive team. That in turn makes us a better overall team. Seems like a no brainer tbh.
And I can dig if Dejountes shot selection doesn’t fit your taste but the fact is that he’s elite at those mid range shots. He can get that shot pretty much anytime he wants & they are great for stopping opposing teams momentum. Dejounte is a great scorer from all 3 levels as well & is just way more versatile & way tougher which is something we’re lacking.
Not sure why you figure we’d have to trade Clint, Bogdan, Dejounte & go young just bc we trade Trae.
Paul George Leverage Strategy
The likeliest outcome of the thing is still George leveraging the Clippers for all that he desires.
OG Leverage Strategy
The likeliest outcome of the thing is still OG leveraging the Knicks for all that he desires.
Teams are targeting Lavine and Ingram
Zach LaVine contract remaining:
3 years $138 million
Bradley Beal Contract remaining:
3 years $161 million
Ingram is eligible for 4 years, $208 million max extension
No they are not. Both will get you nothing.
With the way the team looked with Trae hurt.. the hawks would be fools to trade Murray. Trade Trae, rebuild around future cap space n young forwards. If they take the French forward I don’t like Ingram as the return. I’d take picks n find a 3rd team to re-route him for more picks and a young player or two.
Agree with pretty much everything you said but I’m curious why wouldn’t you like BIngram in ATL? If we can get BI & Alvarado for Trae Id be pretty satisfied tbh
Murray probably has the best contact for an all star level player in the league. Don’t trade him ATL unless it’s for your original picks and a young player. Even then I’d say no thanks. Keep the rest of the squad outside of Trae. Get a SG that can shoot and defend. Resign Johnson becomes priority. Thats a playoff team top 6 in the east.
Unless that sg is Anthony Edwards, I have a hard time seeing this hawks squad crack the top six. Bucks, Celtics, Sixers, Cavs, knicks and pacers are locks barring injuries. Orlando is on the upswing and Miami is always competitive. I don’t see a guard that can put the hawks anywhere other than the play in
Obviously this speaks more to your poor foresight than anything
Great retort Sank. You convinced me that I’m wrong with your evidence based reply. Thank you for opening my eyes.
Why do you act like a petulant child when someone disagrees with you or, GASP, says the hawks aren’t one player away from being a top 6 team?
Remember when the hawks made that miracle playoff run and you were crowning them a dynasty? Foresight…hmmm
I think trading Trae Young and rebuilding around Murray Risacher Jalen Johnson and whatever you get for Trae is the best route but ultimately I think they end up trading Dejounte.
I think the problem lies in the fact, they value Trae as the leader of this franchise but he’s not getting you this amazing incredible return.
For example if they sent him to Miami for Herro and say 3 first round picks, the Hawks would feel like they aren’t getting good value.
But you’d have a more balanced starting 5 that’s young and only go in to get better plus you have a bunch of first round picks for the future.
However I see them doing the Murray for Ingram trade and continuing to stay a .500 side
Herro and 3 1sts would be great value for Trae but it just wouldn’t make sense basketball wise. Trae being a terrible defender is by far the main reason that he’s gonna get traded. It’s actually the only reason that I can think of tbh. Herro is bigger which automatically makes him at least a lil bit better defensively than Trae but Herro is a terrible defender as well. Trading Trae for another terrible defender who isn’t as great offensively just don’t make sense. Trading Trae for Keldon Johnson, Brandon Ingram, Ben Simmons, Bruce Brown, makes way more sense in the context of what would make us a better team.
Almost seems like you admit that it’s more logical for us to trade Trae but still insist that we’ll trade Dejounte. And that is a typical hoopsrumors comment if I’ve ever seen one lol.
Herro and 3 first would be good. Then flip herro for more picks
Trajan van gundy