Utah Jazz, Royce O’Neale Agree To Four-Year Contract Extension

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz and swingman Royce O’Neale have agreed to a four-year contract extension.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the extension is worth $36 million over the next four years.

This season was the final year on O’Neale’s current contract that originally brought him to the Jazz. He will make $1.6 million this season. O’Neale will be under contract with the Jazz through the 2023-24 season.

Royce O’Neale explains how he and the @UtahJazz came to their agreement on his contract extension, and why he chose to stay in Utah. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/6BOsd06o1b

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 19, 2020

“Re-signing Royce to a long-term extension was a priority for our organization,” said Dennis Lindsey, Jazz executive vice president of basketball operations. “Royce is an elite defender and has really shown the ability to spread the floor with his shooting. We feel he brings a versatility to our team that’s vital to our success. We’re happy that we were able to retain not only a great player in Royce, but also a tremendous person.”

Jazzzzzzz Nation @utahjazz
Let’s get it 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 #Blessings pic.twitter.com/4ieoXYwqfR

— Royce O'Neale (@BucketsONeale00) January 19, 2020

The undrafted free agent is in his third season with the Jazz after a successful career at Baylor. He played overseas before joining the Jazz.

This season, O’Neale is averaging 6.2 points, 5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. They are all career-highs. He is shooting 47 percent from the field and 44 percent from beyond the arc. O’Neale has played in 42 games this season with 39 starts.

“We’ve been really pleased with Royce’s development over the past two-and-half seasons with us,” said Jazz General Manager Justin Zanik. “His progress is a testament to the work ethic he has brought to our team since his first training camp. We’re excited to watch him grow even more in a Jazz uniform.”

O’Neale made a name for himself on the Jazz after being a tremendous defender in the playoffs against the top players on the opposing teams.

For his career, O’Neale is recording 5.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. He has played 193 games in a Jazz uniform with 59 starts.

He was originally seen by the Jazz in the 2016 free agent mini-camp after playing in Spain and Germany.