The 2025-26 season was a positive one for the Phoenix Suns, as they turned the page on the Kevin Durant era and made the playoffs in the process.
Jamaree Bouyea played a small part in that success upon joining the franchise, and racking up 46 appearances and a career high 14 minutes per game represented the most consistent output of a career that has seen him constantly on the move.
Bouyea sneaky good replacement for departed duo
But what about Bouyea stepping into the void left by both Royce O’Neale and Grayson’s Allen departure after they were traded to the Charlotte Hornets? Seems unlikely, but there’s actually a little something going on here if you dig beneath the surface.
To the surprise of many the Suns brought Bouyea back on a two-year deal this summer that will equate to less than $4 million. The second season is not guaranteed either, but this is not just signing a potential asset to the roster to add to a trade down the road (although there is likely an element of that going on here too).
Bouyea is also not a like-for-like swap with either O’Neale or Allen on paper, but he also managed to play alongside a point guard in Jordan Goodwin and have real success last season.
He’s got the length and the desire to guard opposing forwards, so why not just put him there and see what happens?
The 27-year-old was dreadful from beyond the arc (under 30 percent on 1.5 attempts each night), and it is harder to see the vision of him taking any of Allen’s minutes. That’s what Luke Kennard was brought in for, although defensively he has been badly exposed in the past and Bouyea provides nice insurance should that happen again.
But O’Neale, while being a much better 3-point shooter, was not the defender the Suns needed him to be and had peaked as a player. Getting on Bouyea to take one more step to becoming a 15 solution off the bench across the forward position for that price is smart business.
Even more so when you consider the injury issues that plagued Jalen Green.
Barring an unexpected big swing the Suns are done making moves this offseason, yet Bouyea has remained despite the organization having a crowded backcourt. Suddenly the idea of being the new O’Neale (and to a lesser extent Allen) doesn’t sound so unlikely.
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