It speaks volumes about a Phoenix Suns season that surprisingly ended in a playoff appearance that Jamaree Bouyea would kick off proceedings.
After all relevant to expectations (of which there were none after he arrived in Phoenix) and having bounced around the league despite still being only 27-years-old, nobody could have predicted the impact the point guard would have.
Bouyea a feel good story in a campaign full of them
The greatest compliment that we can give to Bouyea is the fact he played over half the Suns’ regular season games at 46. That’s the same amount as then rookie prospect Khaman Maluach, who the franchise have bet a lot more of their future on turning into a dominant big man.
He's off to a nice start in that department too.
Averaging 14 minutes per contest represented another career high, and while injury to Jalen Green helped Bouyea’s cause, he made the most of his opportunity despite stiff competition.
Collin Gillespie (who we will return to later) was the real beneficiary of this, but Bouyea pushed both him and Jordan Goodwin hard for more minutes. In fact head coach Jordan Ott turned to an unexpectedly fruitful tandem many times throughout the season, with Bouyea and Goodwin playing alongside one another.
This only worked because both have bigger frames for guards so that they could hang with bigger opponents while also maintaining the quickness to chase smaller guys around the court. Another plus to this duo was their fit next to Devin Booker, which allowed him the opportunity to be the offensive focal point guard when they were out there with him while guarding opposing scorers.
Many expected Bouyea to be the odd man out this offseason, but the Suns had other ideas. Bringing him back on a small, two-year contract and although the second season is not guaranteed, it has bought him more time to prove himself in the league.
Bouyea could yet have another act in The Valley as he attempts to slip into the role vacated by Royce O’Neale. He’s nowhere near as good a 3-point shooter, but it’s not like O’Neale was a massive wing and Bouyea is a more tenacious defender. Looking at the roster the Suns have put together this offseason and they could certainly do with a different option across their forward depth.
The ideal end of bench player when the Suns needed one the most, and the best may be yet to come.
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