The Phoenix Suns have signed guard Jamaree Bouyea to a two-way NBA contract and waived forward CJ Huntley ahead of November 18âs road matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.
Bouyea, 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, joins Phoenix after opening the season in the G League with the Austin Spurs, where he has been one of the leagueâs hottest scorers. The move gives the Suns another ball-handler and pick-and-roll creator just hours before tipoff against Portland.
Suns Sign Jamaree Bouyea, Waive CJ Huntley Before Trip to Portland
Bouyea has bounced around the NBA and G League over the last three seasons, appearing in games for the Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, San Antonio Spurs , Portland Trail Blazers and most recently the Milwaukee Bucks.
Most recently, he was with the Bucks on a two-way deal before landing back with Austin. With the Spursâ affiliate this season, Bouyea has averaged around 20 points per game on efficient shooting, plus strong rebounding and assist numbers, in a small early-season sample.
To open a two-way slot, Phoenix waived Huntley, an undrafted forward out of Appalachian State who signed with the Suns this summer. Huntleyâs two-way deal is gone, but he could still resurface with the Valley Suns if he clears waivers.
The Suns already had a full set of two-way players before this move, so swapping Huntley for Bouyea amounts to a clear statement about where they want extra depth: in the backcourt, not the frontcourt.
What Jamaree Bouyea Signing Means for Suns vs. Trail Blazers
In the short term, Bouyea profiles as insurance behind Devin Booker and the rest of Phoenixâs guard rotation rather than an instant high-minutes option.
Phoenix enters Tuesday at 8â6 and on the second night of a brief break in the schedule after a frustrating loss to the Atlanta Hawks in which they blew a 22-point lead. The Suns are still without Grayson Allen and Jalen Green, both sidelined with injuries, which leaves the team thinner on the perimeter.
Bouyeaâs ability to pressure the rim, score in bunches and run pick-and-roll could earn him spot minutes if foul trouble or injuries hit during the Sunsâ visit to Portland. Heâs also comfortable playing off the ball, which could make him a fit in certain lineups next to Booker.
For the Trail Blazers, the signing is one more wrinkle ahead of a game where theyâre already dealing with their own injury issues in the backcourt. Portland is 6-7 and returns home after a tough overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks , trying to stay afloat without Scoot Henderson and several other guards.
Bouyea may not swing the matchup by himself, but he gives the Suns another quick, shifty guard option to attack a shorthanded Portland perimeter defense.
Where to Watch Suns at Trail Blazers
The Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers game tips off 11 p.m. ET on November 18 from Moda Center in Portland.
- TV: NBC/Peacock (national)
- Streaming: Peacock and NBA League Pass in select markets (regional restrictions may apply).
With the Suns adding a 20-point G League scorer on the eve of their matchup with the Trail Blazers, both Phoenix fans and Portland fans have one more storyline to track when the teams take the floor tonight.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us .
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Phoenix Makes Guard Shake-Up, Adds 20-PPG G Leaguer Before Suns vs. Blazers appeared first on Heavy Sports .