The Phoenix Suns have elevated guard Jamaree Bouyea from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal, making him eligible to participate in the playoffs, the team confirmed Monday. This move comes as the Suns aim to strengthen their guard rotation for the postseason while managing their salary cap commitments.
Details Behind Bouyea’s Contract Upgrade
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Bouyea’s new contract spans two years and marks his first full NBA agreement. This upgrade allows the Suns to avoid luxury tax penalties later this season while maintaining necessary depth in their roster as they head into the playoffs.
Arizona Sports reporter John Gambadoro noted last Friday that the Suns’ decision to waive guard Cole Anthony created the roster spot for Bouyea to be signed full-time. The team had until Thursday to finalize the conversion from a two-way to a standard contract.
In conjunction with Bouyea’s promotion, the Suns re-signed rookie big man C.J. Huntley to a two-way contract to fill the open slot.
Impact of Contract Change on Playing Eligibility
Previously, Bouyea’s two-way status limited him to 50 regular-season games, excluding him from playoff participation. He had appeared in 33 games this season, including 14 minutes in Phoenix’s 113-110 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
Bouyea’s Role and Performance with the Suns
Undrafted out of the University of San Francisco, Bouyea has proven to be a valuable depth guard for Phoenix. He has posted double-digit scoring in nine games, twice reaching a career-high of 18 points. The Suns hold a 6-3 record in games where he logs at least 20 minutes.
Bouyea has played in 15 of the 16 games that star guard Devin Booker missed due to a hip strain, signaling his importance during Booker’s absence. His 33 appearances this season represent a personal best, reflecting his increased role with the Suns.
Before joining Phoenix midseason, Bouyea appeared in 19 NBA games across previous stints. He played five games with the Milwaukee Bucks this year and nine last season between the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs. During his rookie year in 2022-23, he featured in five games with the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards.
Significance of the Contract Upgrade for the Suns
By securing Bouyea on a standard NBA contract, Phoenix not only bolsters their postseason lineup but also gains flexibility in managing their roster and salary commitments. This adjustment underscores the team’s confidence in Bouyea’s contributions and addresses guard depth concerns amid injuries.
The Phoenix Suns are signing two-way guard Jamaree Bouyea on a new two-year contract, sources tell ESPN. After two-ways and 10-day deals with six teams in 3+ years, Bouyea earns a standard contract, averaging 6.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in rotation role for the Suns. pic.twitter.com/nxIaeoRRrb
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 2, 2026
Now that Cole Anthony has been waived (were just waiting to see if a buyout was possible) Suns will turn their attention to converting Jamaree Bouyea to a standard contract by March 4th then adding a player on a two-way contract.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 27, 2026
