Three players the Utah Jazz most need to have a breakout season in 2019-20
Royce O’Neale
The Utah Jazz found the ultimate diamond in the rough when they added Royce O’Neale to the roster two seasons ago. Royce was a low-risk, high-reward player when the Jazz brought him in, as he signed a three-year contract worth a minuscule amount of money (by NBA standards). The important role he has acquired for this Jazz team despite being set to make just $1.6 million next season is evidence of his contract being one of the most cost-effective in the NBA.
During his two seasons in Utah, Royce has transformed into a reliable 3-and-D player. He’s often been one of, if not the best perimeter defender on the floor at times for the Jazz. He quickly gained Quin Snyder’s trust as a reliable defensive presence which earned him a spot in the rotation early on in his NBA career.
He also finished last season with an impressive three-point shooting clip of 38.6 percent. There were games when O’Neale turned into one of Utah’s more reliable perimeter shooters which made him not only a force defensively but a weapon on offense.
As was the case for most of the Jazz roster in the playoffs against the Houston Rockets last season, Royce’s three-point shooting dropped off significantly in the postseason. However, he proved he could still hang in marquee moments as he upped his points per game to 10.6. Not to mention, although his perimeter shooting mark dropped to just 34.8, it actually was the best on the entire team.
In other words, Royce has already proven himself as a legitimate rotation player for the Jazz, which many would say is more than was expected of him when he was initially signed. However, with ample speculation that O’Neale could be inserted into Utah’s starting lineup at the four-spot, it will be vital that he takes an even further step next year.
It’s quite possible that Royce will be called upon to defend opposing fours and others of the best perimeter players on opposing teams. That in and of itself will require a leap from him if the Jazz are to remain stout defensively. Especially against teams like the LA Clippers that feature a dreadful combo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard or the Los Angeles Lakers with superstar LeBron James, O’Neale can be expected to draw daunting assignments night in and night out.
He’s proven up to the task for those kinds of challenges before, but more than just being up to the task, he’ll need to be a proven stopper.
But the Jazz proved this summer that defense, while still likely the main piece of their identity, isn’t their sole focus any longer. They knew they needed to bulk up the offense and that was a major reason why they added Conley and Bogey to the mix. In order to truly make the Jazz as formidable as they can be, O’Neale will have to also be an important part of that revamped offense.
38 percent from three is nothing to balk at, but if he can find a way to get his perimeter efficiency up to 40 percent, he will work wonders for the Jazz whether he’s playing alongside the starters or leading the charge for the second unit. O’Neale is also a crafty finisher who’s improved drastically at getting to the rim. If his three-point shooting jumps to the degree that he commands more outside respect, it will also allow him several more opportunities for easy baskets.
In short, O’Neale will be facing dramatically heightened responsibilities next season as a primary stopper on D that may have to take on opposing fours, and as a three-point weapon on the other end of the floor. That’s a lot to shoulder for an undrafted guy in his third year in the pros, but the Jazz obviously have confidence in him. If he can reward that trust with effective production, it will boost his Utah squad into an entirely new echelon.