Why the Suns’ Two-Way Bet on Jamaree Bouyea Could Be a Hidden Gem

By [Your Name] | Updated July 2024

A new opportunity: How Jamaree Bouyea’s two-way deal could energize the Suns’ backcourt. (Concept art)

The Underdog Story No One Saw Coming

Picture this: It’s late in the fourth quarter, the Suns are down by three, and their star guard is sidelined with foul trouble. Who steps up? If Phoenix’s front office plays their cards right, that clutch moment might just belong to a 6’2” guard who’s spent the last two years grinding in the G League—Jamaree Bouyea.

The Suns’ recent decision to sign Bouyea to a two-way contract flew under the radar amid blockbuster free-agency splashes. But here’s the thing: Two-way deals aren’t just roster fillers anymore. They’re the NBA’s version of a startup incubator—low-risk, high-reward experiments that can pay off in ways no one expects. Remember Alex Caruso’s rise from two-way obscurity to Bulls starter? Or how Kendrick Nunn parlayed his into a $30M payday? The league’s hidden pipeline is real, and Bouyea might be its next success story.

So why should Suns fans—or any basketball fan—care about this move? Because in a league where depth wins championships, Bouyea isn’t just a 15th man. He’s a wildcard. And wildcards change games.

Two-Way Contracts 101: The NBA’s Best-Kept Secret

What Exactly Is a Two-Way Deal?

Think of a two-way contract as a hybrid job in the NBA. Players like Bouyea split their time between:

• The parent team (Suns): Up to 50 games in the NBA, earning a prorated rookie minimum salary (~$559K this season).
• The G League affiliate (Northern Arizona Suns): Unlimited games, with a base salary of $50K–$75K (though bonuses can push it higher).

The catch? Teams can only have two two-way players at a time, and they don’t count against the 15-man roster limit. It’s the NBA’s way of saying, “Prove you belong, and we’ll invest.”

Why Bouyea? The Numbers Don’t Lie

Bouyea’s résumé isn’t flashy, but it’s efficient. Last season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce (Heat’s G League team), he averaged:

• 16.4 points per game on 48% shooting (40% from three).
• 5.4 assists and just 1.8 turnovers—a 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio that coaches love.
• 1.5 steals per game, showcasing his defensive IQ.

Translation: He’s a combo guard who can shoot, facilitate, and defend—three skills the Suns desperately need behind Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Oh, and he’s already got NBA experience: 19 games with the Heat in 2022–23, where he dropped 17 points in a win over the Hornets.

“He’s a guy who can play both guard spots, knock down shots, and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective. That’s two-way gold.”

—Anonymous NBA scout, via The Athletic

The Suns’ Master Plan (Or Why This Move Is Smarter Than You Think)

Problem: The Suns’ Backcourt Depth Is a Liability

Let’s be real—Phoenix’s guard rotation last season was Booker, Beal, and a prayer. When injuries hit (and they always do), the drop-off was steep. Their backup point guards combined for:

• 38% shooting from the field (yikes).
• More turnovers than assists in the playoffs (double yikes).

Bouyea isn’t a savior, but he’s a high-floor option who can:

• Run the second unit without collapsing the offense.
• Space the floor for Durant and Booker.
• Provide playoff-ready defense (he held G League guards to 42% shooting at the rim last year).

Opportunity: The Two-Way Pipeline Is Booming

Two-way contracts aren’t what they used to be. In the last five years, over 40% of two-way players have earned standard NBA deals. Recent examples:

• Jose Alvarado: From two-way to Pelicans’ starting lineup.
• Herbert Jones: Two-way to All-Defensive contender.
• Trey Murphy III: Two-way to Pelicans’ 3-and-D staple.

The Suns’ front office, led by James Jones, has a knack for finding diamonds in the rough (see: Cameron Payne’s resurgence). Bouyea fits the mold: undervalued, versatile, and hungry.

What’s Next for Bouyea? A Step-by-Step Roadmap

Phase 1: Summer League Showcase (July 2024)

Bouyea’s first chance to shine? The Las Vegas Summer League, where he’ll need to:

• Prove he can run an NBA offense (not just score in the G League).
• Showcase his defensive versatility against elite guards like Scoot Henderson or Amen Thompson.
• Avoid the “G League hero” label by making smart, not flashy, plays.

Key stat to watch: Assist-to-turnover ratio. If it stays above 2:1, he’s on track.

Phase 2: Training Camp Battle (October 2024)

Here’s where Bouyea will compete for real NBA minutes. His competition?

• David Roddy: A shooter, but limited as a playmaker.
• Chimezie Metu: A big, not a guard.
• Potential rookie: If the Suns draft a guard (e.g., Kyshawn George).

His edge: Experience. Bouyea’s played in NBA systems (Heat) and won a G League title (2023 with Delaware). That matters.

Phase 3: The G League Grind (November 2024–?)

If Bouyea starts in the G League, his focus should be:

• Mastering pick-and-roll defense (his weakest area).
• Improving his three-point volume (he shot 40% but only took 4.5 attempts per game).
• Becoming a vocal leader—coaches notice who elevates teammates.

Pro tip: Two-way players who dominate in the G League’s “Showcase Cup” (early-season tournament) often get NBA call-ups. Bouyea’s a prime candidate.

The Bouyea Effect: How This Impacts the Suns’ Season

Best-Case Scenario: The Next Alex Caruso

If Bouyea hits his ceiling, he becomes:

• A 15–20 MPG spark plug off the bench.
• The Suns’ primary Booker/Beal backup, letting them rest their stars.
• A playoff-ready defender for crunch-time lineups.

Result? The Suns finally have a reliable 8-man rotation, and Bouyea earns a multi-year deal in 2025.

Worst-Case Scenario: A Repeat of Jared Harper

Not every two-way story has a happy ending. If Bouyea struggles with:

• NBA athleticism (he’s not an elite leaper).
• Consistency (his G League stats had hot/cold streaks).
• Defensive assignments (guarding Lillard or Curry is different from the G League).

He might end up like Jared Harper—a fan favorite in the G League who never stuck in the NBA. But even then, the Suns lose nothing; two-way contracts are zero-risk.

Expert Takes: What Insiders Are Saying

Jamaree Bouyea is one of the most underrated two-way signings this offseason. Dude can really play. Suns got a steal.

— NBA Draft Junkie (@NBADraftJunkie) July 5, 2024

Most analysts agree: Bouyea’s feel for the game is his biggest asset. As The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor put it:

“He’s not going to wow you with athleticism, but he’s the kind of guy who makes winning plays. In a league obsessed with upside, sometimes the ‘safe’ two-way guys end up being the smartest additions.”

How Fans Can Track Bouyea’s Journey

Want to follow Bouyea’s rise (or see if he flops)? Here’s how:

• Summer League: Watch every Suns game on NBA TV or ESPN+ (July 12–22).
• G League Ignite: If he’s sent down, the Northern Arizona Suns stream games on NBA G League’s YouTube.
• Twitter/X: Follow @JamareeBouyea and beat writers like Gerald Bourguet.
• Advanced Stats: Bookmark his Basketball-Reference and G League stats pages.

The Bigger Picture: Why Two-Way Contracts Matter More Than Ever

The NBA’s new CBA (2023) made two-way deals even more valuable:

• Players can now earn up to $750K (up from $500K).
• Teams can convert two-ways to standard contracts midseason without waiting for free agency.
• The “two-way hard cap” was removed, giving teams more flexibility.

For small-market teams like the Suns, this is roster-building gold. Bouyea isn’t just a depth piece; he’s a low-cost lottery ticket in a league where every dollar counts.

Your Turn: What’s Your Take on Bouyea?

So, Suns fans—are you buying the Bouyea hype, or is this just another training camp casualty? Drop your predictions in the comments:

• Will he crack the rotation by December?
• Is he the next Cam Payne or the next Elie Okobo?
• Should the Suns give him more run than a veteran minimum guard?

And if you’re a fantasy basketball nerd, keep Bouyea on your deep-league watchlist. Two-way guards who get called up (see: Santi Aldama last season) can be league-winners.

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Related Reads You’ll Love

• 📖 The Suns’ Secret Weapon: How James Jones Builds Winners on a Budget
• 📖 G League to NBA: 5 Two-Way Players Who Could Break Out in 2024–25
• 📖 Why the Suns’ Bench Could Make or Break Their Championship Hopes

Kebun Firdaus

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