Two teams in the Western Conference locked in some young contributors for their team who can play a big role in their future. That includes one of the hotter teams in the league, as the Utah Jazz gave Royce O'Neale a four-year contract extension that is worth $36 million. The deal was announced on Sunday, as Jazz VP Dennis Lindsey called O'Neale a "elite defender," and spoke on the "versatility" that he adds to the Jazz. O'Neale also released a statement and expressed his excitement to "stay here for a while."
O'Neale was on pace to be a restricted free agent this off-season, but he will now remain with the team that signed him out of Europe in 2017. The 26-year-old is in the midst of his third NBA season and is averaging career highs with 30 minutes per game, 6.2 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game, and 2.5 assists per game. He is mostly known for his defense, but his 44.3 percent shooting from three-point range doesn't hurt anything either.
Focusing now on a team that is more looking ahead to their future rather than the now, the Golden State Warriors signed guard Damion Lee to a multi-year extension last week. Lee, who is the brother-in-law of teammate Stephen Curry, was a two-way player a season ago. The 27-year-old is now leading the Warriors' offense due to injuries, averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, playing an average of 26.8 minutes in 26 games, including 13 starts. The team also signed two-way player Marquese Chriss for the remainder of the season. The 22-year-old was signed in September and has averaged 7.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 17.7 minutes per game in 37 contests, with three starts on the year.
O'Neale was on pace to be a restricted free agent this off-season, but he will now remain with the team that signed him out of Europe in 2017. The 26-year-old is in the midst of his third NBA season and is averaging career highs with 30 minutes per game, 6.2 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game, and 2.5 assists per game. He is mostly known for his defense, but his 44.3 percent shooting from three-point range doesn't hurt anything either.
Focusing now on a team that is more looking ahead to their future rather than the now, the Golden State Warriors signed guard Damion Lee to a multi-year extension last week. Lee, who is the brother-in-law of teammate Stephen Curry, was a two-way player a season ago. The 27-year-old is now leading the Warriors' offense due to injuries, averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, playing an average of 26.8 minutes in 26 games, including 13 starts. The team also signed two-way player Marquese Chriss for the remainder of the season. The 22-year-old was signed in September and has averaged 7.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 17.7 minutes per game in 37 contests, with three starts on the year.
