23. Jazz Forward Royce O’Neale – KSL Sports
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz open their season on October 20, just 23 from today. With the clock ticking, we look at 50 things for Jazz fans to be excited about leading up to the 2021-22 NBA season. Coming in at number 23, forward Royce O’Neale.
Jazz Forward Royce O’Neale
Royce O’Neale enters year two of his four-year $36 million dollar contract and year three as a full-time starter for the Jazz.
The forward has carved out an important role on the team as the Jazz’s top minute getter and an incredibly reliable three-point shooter knocking down 37 percent of his attempts over the last three seasons.
However, it’s on the defensive side of the ball where O’Neale has earned his paycheck, regularly drawing the toughest perimeter assignment game in and game out. The forward’s reputation on the defensive side of the ball has made him a popular mentor for the Jazz younger roster players.
“Nobody really wants to play defense,” O’Neale admitted. “The fact that they will pick my mind, it means I’m doing something right. But just taking what I’ve learned over the years, and what I’m still learning and giving it to them.”
Though the team added two forwards in Rudy Gay and Eric Paschall during the offseason, neither is a threat to take O’Neale’s claim as the team’s best wing defender. That means O’Neale will once again draw the opposing team’s best offensive player most nights.
Despite the lack of a major overhaul to the team’s perimeter defense, O’Neale said he believes the team can improve on the wing.
“I think everybody’s willing to do what they have to do for us. I think defense is what everybody is going to pride themselves on.”
While the team struggled on the perimeter defensively during the postseason, O’Neale shined on the offensive end. The forward shot red-hot 46 percent from the three-point line while scoring a career playoff-high 11.3 points per game.
The Jazz will need that continued production from O’Neale if they want to take the next step towards a championship, making the forward’s play one of the top storylines to watch counting down to opening night.