Utah Jazz: 3 players facing the most pressure in 2018-19
By KC Whitten
3. Royce O’Neale
It’s been a long road to success in the NBA for Royce O’Neale. Undrafted out of college, he spent the following two years playing basketball professionally in Europe. However, once given the opportunity to play in the NBA, O’Neale took advantage.
Once Thabo Sefolosha went down with a season ending injury in January, O’Neale earned a spot in the Jazz rotation. Averaging only 2.5 points per game the first three months of the 2017-18 season, his scoring increased to 6.5 points per game the final four months of the season.
He made his biggest impact in Utah’s second round playoff series against the Houston Rockets. He averaged a career high 30 minutes and 10.4 points per game. He exploded offensively in games 3 and 5 with 17 points in each contest.
O’Neale’s impressed Jazz coach Quin Snyder enough last season to keep his spot in the rotation. He is currently listed over Sefolosha as the backup for Joe Ingles, and should receive increased minutes.
Though he is signed through 2021, the contract is non-guaranteed. With a permanent spot in the rotation expected, the pressure will be high for him to emulate his postseason success. If he can then his immediate future in Utah is secure. However, if he regresses and loses his spot, it’s possible he could be released and return to Europe.