One NBA writer is proposing that the Chicago Bulls acquire Royce O’Neale from the Brooklyn Nets. Dan Favale of Bleacher Report proposed that the Bulls trade a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick to the Nets for O’Neale.
“Adding a complementary shooter who can guard three, sometimes four, positions is an equally big deal,” Favale wrote. “For as much as O’Neale has regressed from his Utah heyday, he continues to fill that role. Will two second-rounders be enough to pry him from a Brooklyn team that already ducked the tax? Debatable.
“But the Nets still have wings to spare and might appreciate generating another $9-plus million traded player exception.”
O’Neale appeared in 76 games for the Nets last season. He averaged 8.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 38.6% from the field, 38.9% from beyond the arc and 72.5% from the free-throw line.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Royce O’Neale, Chicago Bulls & Brooklyn Nets Updates
The 30-year-old O’Neale has career averages of 6.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists with the Utah Jazz and Nets. He’s a career 38.4% shooter from 3. The Bulls need more shooters, so adding O’Neale wouldn’t be such a bad idea. O’Neale will make $9.5 million next season and become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024.
Chicago was granted a $10.2 million disabled player exception for Lonzo Ball that it can use to sign a player for one season or acquire someone on an expiring contract. Ball underwent a cartilage transplant in his left knee in March. The UCLA product missed the entire 2022-23 season and he’s not expected to play at all next season.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Royce O’Neale, Chicago Bulls & Brooklyn Nets Updates
Ball has undergone three surgeries on his left knee. The former Los Angeles Lakers star hasn’t played in an NBA game since January 14, 2022. The Bulls went only 40-42 last season. They missed the playoffs after making the postseason in 2022 for the first time since 2017.
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