Utah Jazz: Joel Bolomboy vs. Royce O’Neale for final roster spot

The Case for Royce O’Neale

Standing 6-foot-6, with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and weighing 220 pounds, Royce O’Neale is built like a tank and fits the mold of a defensive stopper on the wing. He also has the size and strength to handle stretch fours in the modern NBA.

Also, anyone who can get hit in the mouth, catch their tooth, and then run back on offense like nothing happened, deserves a chance to make this team.

The best case for O’Neale to make this team is largely due to his position. Don’t get me wrong, he is a solid player, and if he can consistently hit the open three, there is no reason he should not be on an NBA roster.

For this Utah Jazz team, though, having additional bodies at the wing position may be a priority. Dante Exum could potentially be lost for the year. Alec Burks has essentially missed the last two seasons due to various injuries. Rodney Hood was never fully healthy a year ago, and Thabo Sefolosha has only played 70 plus games twice in the last five seasons.

It would be great if all our guys can remain healthy this season, and perhaps the new training staff can help with that, but O’Neale’s best case to make this team is the increased wing depth it would provide to a position where the Jazz have had a recent history for injury.

Royce O’Neale has been solid during the preseason. He plays tough defense, rebounds well from the wing position, and when he’s shot the three, his form has looked good. He’s doesn’t necessarily do anything that jumps off the page, but he also doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses. The Jazz would welcome the toughness and grit he would bring.