Untouchable to expendable: Where does each Utah Jazz player rank?

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 27: Head coach Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz talks with Royce O’Neale #23 during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Royce O’Neale

In a season full of nice surprises for the Utah Jazz, Royce O’Neale was one of the nicest. As an undrafted rookie who had been playing overseas prior to joining the Jazz, no one thought originally that he would have that big of an impact in Utah. Instead, he found himself in the rotation most of the season and in the starting lineup for the second round of the playoffs in place of the injured Ricky Rubio.

O’Neale has proven himself as a lock-down defender and if he improves on offense, he could very well be a force for the Jazz. And the best part about that? He’s a rotation player who’s owed less than $2 million each of the next two years. What an incredible bargain.

Unless the Jazz are approached with a mind-blowing trade in which O’Neale is necessary to tip the scale in Utah’s favor, they’d be crazy to deal him. Expect O’Neale to remain a part of this team for the duration of his favorable contract.

Verdict: Not untouchable, but absolutely no reason to move him

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