Suns have a Jamaree Bouyea problem nobody saw coming

One of the most impressive elements of roster building the Phoenix Suns have quietly put together this season has been how well they have restocked their point guard depth.

There was a time when bringing Chris Paul back would have made a lot of sense, but Phoenix now has Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin and Jamaree Bouyea to call upon each night.

Bouyea is now too good to keep as third string point guard

So good has the 26-year-old Bouyea been since being given a chance by the franchise just over a month ago, that it is hard to see how the Suns will be able to keep him beyond this season.

He's currently on a two-way deal, and has absolutely played his way into a veteran minimum contract at the very least next season. It would be great if he could sign one of those to stay in The Valley, and it is ironic that the very player whose path he is following may be the reason why it doesn't happen.

Gillespie was on a two-way contract at this point last season, and a year later now starts for this group. It is hard to see Bouyea being able to do the same once Jalen Green is healthy and with Gillespie and Devin Booker already part of the back court.

He's also too good to have as the third string floor general, and in the team's most recent win over the Los Angeles Lakers he played 24 minutes.

Phoenix is his sixth team in four seasons in the league, and prior to landing there had never averaged more than 3.8 points (during a tiny four game stint with the Miami Heat) or played more than 16.3 minutes (again same four games).

In December alone with the Suns he's up to 8.6 points in 17.8 minutes of action, and already this month has had games were he has played 28, 24 and 23 minutes. That is rapid and unexpected growth.

But whereas the Suns seem likely to do everything they can to keep Gillespie around, there may not be the space for Bouyea. A compromise could be reached in Jordan Goodwin, who is on his second stint with the organization.

He's a known commodity throughout the league and seems to do his best work in The Valley, so the prospect of keeping him on a team-friendly contract is high.

For Bouyea though he has done an amazing job of taking what could have been his last chance in the league and excelling. It will likely lead to getting more money and a bigger role elsewhere.