The Phoenix Suns have hit the official beginning of free agency with plenty of work already done. They have already given the fanbase a collective groan with their strange decision to trade for Miles Bridges.
Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin have also been brought back, which alongside Devin Booker and Jalen Green looked to be the backcourt rotation set for next season. It was not.
Suns bring back Jamaree Bouyea on non-guaranteed deal
The franchise electing to bring back another surprise package from last time out in Jamaree Bouyea on a $2.58 million, non-guaranteed deal for 2026-27. The latter part of that sentence is important, but from a talent standpoint this makes complete sense.
Bouyea played excellently alongside Goodwin in certain lineups, giving the Suns a pair of oversized guards with which to guard bigger scorers. He was also capable of running the offense some himself, while it has been well documented how much better Booker plays with a true floor general next to him.
That is not to say the 27-year-old is assured of his spot in the back end of the rotation however, as the non-guaranteed nature means he could still be cut and not paid any money if the franchise make other moves.
Ja Morant thankfully won't be one of them, but this is a roster that now looks like it needs a proper point guard to replace Green and give the starting five much better balance.
The combination of Booker, Green, Bridges, Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams going to create clear spacing issues, while health has also been a factor for Williams. Take Green out for Dejounte Murray for example, and while there still won't be a ton of space to operate, that five alone would make the play-in tournament.
Keeping Bouyea around for now also ensures the front office can potentially cash in if his hot form continues until the trade deadline. Fringe contenders will talk themselves into anything in hopes of improving, and Bouyea ticks a lot of boxes on both ends of the court.
Could he have a Jose Alvarado type impact elsewhere? It is not hard to envision, and the Suns could potentially even recoup a second round draft pick in return. Crucial given how they gave an unprotected first in 2033 away in the Bridges deal for reasons that are still unclear.
Bouyea coming back under these circumstances was the move to make, and it does not hurt the organization's ability to improve their roster some more between now and the start of next season.
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