The Suns traded O'Neale, Grayson Allen and a 2033 first-round pick to the Hornets on Sunday in exchange for Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
O'Neale will serve as a veteran presence in the Hornets' locker room, and he'll help back up Naz Reid. O'Neale averaged 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.7 triples and 1.1 steals in 28.4 minutes per game in Phoenix last season, but it will be tough to replicate those numbers operating in a reserve role in Charlotte.
Suns' Royce O'Neale: Wraps up serviceable campaign
Rotowire
O'Neale supplied eight points (3-3 FG, 2-2 3Pt), seven rebounds and two assists over 18 minutes during Monday's 131-122 loss to the Thunder in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The Suns battled plenty of injuries to their wings in 2025-26, allowing O'Neale to maintain a significant role throughout the year and draw 67 starts. Over 78 regular-season contests, the veteran swingman averaged a career-high 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.7 three-pointers in 28.4 minutes per game while shooting 40.8 percent from deep. O'Neale is under team control for the next two seasons.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Just misses double-double in Game 2
Rotowire
O'Neale totaled 16 points (4-5 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, four assists and two steals across 34 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 120-107 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The veteran forward bounced back from a quiet Game 1 performance to post his best scoring effort since a March 24 start against the Nuggets. O'Neale has scored in double digits in five of his last 10 games, all with the second unit, while averaging 8.6 points, 4.8 boards, 2.2 threes, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 23.9 minutes.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Good to go for Tuesday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Tuesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Trail Blazers.
O'Neale was inactive for Sunday's regular-season finale due to a knee injury but is cleared for the start of the postseason Tuesday. A starter in 67 of his 78 regular-season appearances, the veteran forward has come off the bench in each of his past six contests and averaged 8.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 22.0 minutes during that span.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Won't go Sunday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Oklahoma City.
O'Neale will sit out Sunday's regular-season finale, though he will likely be able to return for Tuesday's Play-In Tournament matchup against the higher-seeded team between the Clippers and Trail Blazers. O'Neale will finish the 2025-26 regular season averaging a career-best 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 28.4 minutes per game across 78 outings (67 starts).
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Plays 22 minutes off bench
Rotowire
O'Neale logged three points (1-2 FG, 1-2 3Pt), three rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes during Sunday's 120-110 win over the Bulls.
Dillon Brooks picked up his 18th technical foul of the season and is facing a suspension for Tuesday's game against Houston. O'Neale has been quiet in recent weeks, but he could step into a larger role Tuesday, which would catapult him onto the streaming radar.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Retreating to bench Tuesday
Rotowire
O'Neale won't start Tuesday's game against the Magic.
Dillon Brooks will return to the starting lineup following an extended absence due to a fractured left hand, pushing O'Neale to the second unit. Over five outings off the bench this season, the veteran forward has averaged 10.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 27.6 minutes per contest.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Delivers stellar line in return
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) tallied 17 points (5-8 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal across 28 minutes Tuesday in the Suns' 125-123 loss to the Nuggets.
After missing the Suns' previous three games due to left knee soreness, O'Neale returned to his usual spot in the starting five Tuesday and supplied one of his better all-around lines of the season. O'Neale should remain a reliable streaming option for three-pointers and steals while he continues to handle a 25-plus-minute starting role, but his low usage rate (14.4 percent) and field-goal percentage (41.9 percent) cap his overall fantasy upside.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Good to go Tuesday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) is available for Tuesday's game against the Nuggets.
As expected, O'Neale will shed his probable tag and return from a three-game absence due to left knee soreness. With the veteran forward back in action, there will be fewer minutes available for guys like Rasheer Fleming and Jordan Goodwin.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Likely to play Tuesday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) is probable for Tuesday's game against Denver.
O'Neale has missed the previous three games due to left knee soreness but is on track to suit up Tuesday. The forward has been a fixture in Phoenix's starting lineup and is averaging 9.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 27.4 minutes per contest across his past 10 appearances.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Won't suit up Sunday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raptors.
O'Neale will miss a third straight game due to left knee soreness, and his next opportunity to return will come Tuesday against Denver. Jordan Goodwin will likely remain in the starting five in O'Neale's absence, while Rasheer Fleming and Ryan Dunn are candidates for increased playing time.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Questionable Sunday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against Toronto.
O'Neale missed the last two contests because of left knee soreness. If he's out again, Jordan Goodwin, who posted 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one steal in Saturday's loss to Milwaukee, is expected to remain in the starting lineup.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Ruled out Saturday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Bucks.
O'Neale will miss his second consecutive contest due to left knee soreness, marking the first time all season the veteran forward has been sidelined for multiple games. His absence should lead to another start for either Jordan Goodwin or Rasheer Fleming. Prior to the injury, O'Neale had been a vital floor-spacer for Phoenix, shooting 40.3 percent from deep on the season. His next opportunity to return to the lineup will come Sunday against the Raptors.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Doubtful for Saturday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) is doubtful for Saturday's game against the Bucks.
O'Neale is on track to miss his second straight game, which could result in another start for Jordan Goodwin. Check back for official word on O'Neale's status closer to Saturday's tipoff.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Won't play Thursday
Rotowire
O'Neale (knee) is out for Thursday's game against the Spurs.
O'Neale will miss his first game of the season Thursday. Rasheer Fleming is a candidate to start and could get an extended look after some positive moments in recent outings.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Iffy for Thursday
Rotowire
O'Neale is questionable for Thursday's game against the Spurs due to left knee soreness.
The veteran forward is at risk of missing his first game of the season Thursday. Rasheer Fleming and Haywood Highsmith stand out as the most likely choices to join the starting lineup at power forward in the event that O'Neale is ruled out.
O'Neale totaled 15 points (5-8 FG, 5-8 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist across 28 minutes during Thursday's 123-108 win over the Pacers.
O'Neale has been absolutely locked in from three-point range of late and has drained at least three three-pointers in three of his last four games. His role on offense is limited to being a spot-up shooter beyond the arc, but he'll retain strong fantasy value as long as he remains hot. O'Neale is making 40.3 percent of his three-pointers in 11 games since the All-Star break.
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Suns' Royce O'Neale: Does damage from downtown
Rotowire
O'Neale ended Tuesday's 129-114 victory over the Bucks with 21 points (7-11 FG, 7-11 3Pt), five rebounds, four assists and two steals across 32 minutes.
O'Neale had his shot working early and often from beyond the arc in this one. He set a new season high in made triples, which surpassed his previous best of six treys against Memphis on Oct. 29. This was an unexpected scoring burst out of the Baylor product, who was averaging only 6.6 points over his last nine outings heading into Tuesday's clash.
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