Sun’s two-way standout plays his way to a guaranteed deal

If there’s one thing you can take away from the Phoenix Suns 2025-26 season so far, it’s that injuries have played a major role.

Despite crushing preseason expectations to put themselves in the playoff hunt, the Suns have only played 54 total minutes from Jalen Green (across four games), seen Grayson Allen limited by quad and knee injuries and once again saw the face of the franchise Devin Booker sidelined – this time due to an accidental ankle sprain.

It’s been frustrating to say the least for Suns fans simply wondering what this roster looks like together when healthy, because the “when healthy” part has been isolated to a handful of quarters as we approach the trade deadline and All-Star break.

But these injuries have had the silver lining of creating unique opportunities for guys at the end of the bench — perhaps not as impactful in limited minutes as two-way guard Jamaree Bouyea.

Bouyea, a 26-year-old basketball journeyman, has played more games for the Suns this season (21) than he had in three seasons and five previous NBA teams combined (19).

Bouyea spent most of his time before this stint with the Suns competing in the G League for the Sioux Falls Skyforce and Austin Spurs, but injuries have forced the 6-foot-1 guard into action in The Valley – an opportunity Bouyea hasn’t missed.

Jamaree Bouyea continues to impress as Sun’s two-way standout

January has been a quiet month for Bouyea so far, as the backup guard had not played in a game dating back to January 4, when he got a nine-minute lead in a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

But injuries to both Green and Booker in the January 23 game against the Atlanta Hawks once again made it necessary for head coach Jordan Ott to call on Bouyea to fill in.

As professional as he is, Bouyea remained ready and impressed again in the most recent win against the Brooklyn Nets.

Bouyea went 5-for-11 and shot for 10 points, adding three rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block to the box score. He closed the first quarter with this high-flying chase:

And he added some nice layups to his highlight reel throughout the game:

Bouyea has scored in double figures in eight of his appearances this season, including a career-high 18 points twice. He plays with control, attacks the basket with grace and gives the Suns another ballhandler, which was desperately needed when both Book and Green were sidelined.

On a two-way contract, Bouyea will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. That means the Suns have the opportunity to match any offer to the guard, who continues to argue he deserves a fully guaranteed deal — whether that’s in The Valley or elsewhere.

The Suns will undoubtedly be busy figuring out what to do with other impending free agents Mark Williams (whom the Suns traded multiple first-round picks to acquire from the Charlotte Hornets) and Collin Gillespie.

Based on that, it’s probably a safe bet that Bouyea will return after this summer. Other NBA teams in need of guard depth should not hesitate to offer him a roster spot. His feel-good story deserves to continue at the NBA level.