USA TODAY Sports

Royce O'Neale is a trade target for the Cleveland Cavaliers

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Nets
By Peter Sunjic | Last updated 1/17/24

The Brooklyn Nets are known as a team to watch whenever the annual NBA trade deadline nears. In 2023, the Nets traded both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant away, leading to them undergoing a retooling period.

Now, the Nets might make some moves to optimize the team again, with Royce O’Neale being a popular name in the discussions. Teams are interested, like the Los Angeles Lakers and now, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“One veteran team executive read my Sunday piece that wondered aloud about the Cavs pursuing a trade for Brooklyn's Royce O'Neale and relayed that Cleveland indeed has O'Neale on its list of targets,” Marc Stein wrote on his Substack.

What Royce can potentially provide for Cleveland

O’Neale has been one of the most reliable players for Brooklyn this season, with a good combination of defense and perimeter shooting. While he has struggled with his shot lately, he is still a 37.4% three-point shooter for the year, which the Cavs need from the wing.

Royce also provides superb defense, making him a perfect fit alongside Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. It also helps that he’s close with the former because they were teammates during their Utah Jazz days.

The former Baylor University standout can be good for Cleveland’s wing depth. He will bounce between small forward and power forward while providing a reliable shooter, solid defender, and an underrated playmaker.

What the Nets will look to get from Cleveland

The Cavs do not have a tradeable first-round pick, which will be a sticking point for this potential trade. Brooklyn is looking for more draft assets, considering the franchise still doesn’t have the 2024 and 2025 picks.

Okoro is an interesting prospect because he’s still young at 22 years old and is a solid defender, but the Cavs might not include him in the trade. This is a conundrum for the potential buyers because they need more depth in their wing positions, and Royce fits them perfectly while helping build positive rapport with Donovan, who might ask for a trade soon.

And while these trade discussions persist, O’Neale will keep playing his heart out for the Nets.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Nets and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: