Phoenix Suns Sign Jamaree Bouyea Amid Guard Crisis Ahead of Trail Blazers Game
The Phoenix Suns made a quiet but critical move on November 18, 2025, signing guard Jamaree Bouyea to a two-way contract — a low-profile decision that could shape their entire season. With injuries piling up in the backcourt and their starting shooting guard sidelined, the Suns are scrambling to keep pace in the brutal Western Conference. The move comes just hours before their matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, a team they’ve beaten in three of their last four meetings but one that’s hungry to end Phoenix’s five-game winning streak.
Coach Ott’s Rotation Roulette
Head coach Jordan Ott, who took over after Mike Budenholzer was fired on April 14, 2025, didn’t mince words during a post-game media session that day. "We’re going to have to find new parts of our rotation because these games don’t stop," he told reporters, according to Valley of the Suns’ Luke Duffy. It wasn’t just motivational talk — it was a declaration of war on the status quo.
His starting lineup, a Frankenstein of trades and waivers, has been in flux since opening night. Devin Booker, 28, is now playing point guard — a role he never wanted, but one forced on him after the team’s biggest offseason gamble went sideways. The trade that brought in 22-year-old Jalen Green from Houston on July 6, 2025, sending Kevin Durant packing, was supposed to solve their playmaking problems. Instead, Green’s hamstring injury has left Phoenix without a true secondary ball-handler. And now, veteran Grayson Allen, 29, is questionable, too.
The Guard Depth Crisis
What’s worse, the Suns’ depth chart looks more like a wish list than a roster. Jared Butler, signed in July, has shown flashes but lacks consistency. Jordan Goodwin, claimed off waivers from Minnesota, is a defensive pest but a poor shooter. Collin Gillespie, 25, is the only one who’s consistently made plays — averaging 9.6 points and 4.1 assists in nine starts last season, hitting 47.5% from three. ESPN’s Kevin Pelton called it bluntly: "Phoenix might be better off with Gillespie as the primary backup point guard."
Enter Jamaree Bouyea. The 24-year-old guard, who played at San Francisco and spent last season in the G League, brings energy, quick hands, and a knack for stealing passes. He’s not a scorer — he shot 31% from deep last year — but he’s a glue guy. Exactly what the Suns need when Booker is resting and no one else can handle the ball under pressure.
Building a Team Around the Void
The Suns didn’t just sign Bouyea — they’ve been rebuilding the entire backcourt since July. They waived Damion Baugh and Tyrese Samuel in October to clear space. They locked in Ryan Dunn, their 21-year-old small forward, for 2026-27. They signed Nigel Hayes-Davis, 30, from Turkey, and C.J. Huntley, 23, from Appalachian State, to two-way deals. Even Isaiah Livers, 25, got a two-way contract in July — and now, he’s getting 18 minutes a night under Ott’s rotation.
Meanwhile, the organization shipped their top two 2025 draft picks — Khaman Maluach, the 7-foot-2 center from Duke, and Rasheer Fleming, the 6-foot-9 forward — to the Valley Suns, their G League affiliate. Both have played just seven NBA games, averaging under five minutes. That’s not a mistake. That’s strategy. They’re letting them grow with real minutes, not sitting on the bench watching Booker force contested jumpers.
What’s Next? The Trail Blazers Test
Against Portland, Ott will likely start Booker and Goodwin, with Bouyea and Gillespie as the first guards off the bench. Allen, if he plays, will be on a minutes restriction. The Blazers, led by Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson, are among the league’s fastest teams — and they’ll attack Phoenix’s thin guard rotation relentlessly.
But here’s the twist: the Suns are 5-0 in their last five games. They’ve won with defense, hustle, and unselfish ball movement. They’ve turned into a team that doesn’t need a superstar to win — they just need someone to handle the ball. Bouyea might not be the answer. But he’s the next piece. And in a league where depth wins championships, that’s everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Suns sign Jamaree Bouyea instead of a bigger-name guard?
The Suns are operating under salary cap constraints and can’t afford a star-level backup. Bouyea, a G League standout, is cheap, coachable, and fits their defensive identity. He’s not a scorer, but he’s a pest on the ball — exactly what they need when Booker rests. Signing him to a two-way deal also keeps the door open to call him up without disrupting the roster.
How bad is the Suns’ point guard situation really?
It’s dire. Devin Booker, a 2x All-Star shooting guard, is now playing point guard — a role he’s never fully embraced. Jalen Green, acquired to be the backup playmaker, is out with a hamstring injury. Grayson Allen is questionable. Collin Gillespie is the only viable backup, but he’s 25 and hasn’t started more than 10 games in a season. Without Bouyea, Phoenix’s depth at the position is one injury away from collapse.
What’s the impact of sending Maluach and Fleming to the G League?
It’s a calculated risk. Both players were drafted to be future contributors, but they’re not ready for NBA minutes. By assigning them to the Valley Suns, the Suns ensure they get 30+ minutes per game to develop their skills — something they’d never get on Phoenix’s crowded frontcourt. It’s a long-term play: better to have two polished prospects in two years than two underdeveloped benchwarmers now.
Is Jordan Ott’s rotation strategy working?
So far, yes. The Suns are 5-0 in their last five games despite injuries to Green and Allen. Ott has shuffled lineups constantly — pairing Grayson Allen with Royce O’Neale as a two-guard start, giving Isaiah Livers extended minutes, and trusting Gillespie in crunch time. His willingness to experiment has turned a thin roster into a resilient unit. The wins aren’t pretty, but they’re real.
What happens if Jalen Green returns before the playoffs?
If Green returns healthy, he’ll likely slide back into the starting shooting guard spot, pushing Booker back to his natural position. But that could create a new problem: who plays point guard? Gillespie or Bouyea? Ott might keep Booker at the 1 if he’s playing well, but that would make the team even more reliant on Booker’s ability to create for others — a risky strategy in the playoffs against elite defenses.
Can the Suns still make the playoffs without a true backup point guard?
It’s possible — but only if they stay healthy and continue playing team basketball. The Suns are 12th in the West right now, just 1.5 games out of the 8th seed. Their defense is top-10, their bench is deeper than expected, and Booker is playing like an MVP candidate. If Bouyea and Gillespie can handle 15-20 minutes each night, they can survive. But they won’t go far in the playoffs unless they solve this point guard issue before April.
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