Suns Set to Keep Bouyea, Cut Highsmith as Roster Crunch Hits 14
Phoenix looks ready to lock in Jamaree Bouyea and waive Haywood Highsmith before the October 21 opener, trimming to 14 standard deals.
Roster lock is nice, but 12.6 FPTS/G last year won't move fantasy needles yet.
- Suns likely keep just 14 of 15 standard roster spots
- Bouyea averaged 12.6 FPTS/G over 46 games in 2025-26
- Highsmith on a non-guaranteed deal, likely the cut
- Bouyea ranks #336 overall in our model
- Season opens Oct 21 at Portland, 7:00 pm AZ time
Phoenix is closing in on its final 15, and the headline is a feel-good one: 27-year-old Jamaree Bouyea has reportedly played his way into a roster spot. The 6'2" guard from San Francisco logged career highs in both scoring and games played last season, posting 5.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists across 46 games (2025-26) — numbers that, combined with a sharp preseason, look like they've earned him a long-term seat.
The flip side is Haywood Highsmith. The forward is on a non-guaranteed deal and appears to be the odd man out as the Suns elect to stop at 14 standard contracts rather than fill all 15, preserving flexibility for a couple of their newly signed two-way players. Highsmith managed just 5.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 7 games last season (2025-26) and never carved out a stable role.
How Bouyea Got Here
Bouyea's climb is the kind of story Phoenix likes to tell about itself. He started last year on a two-way deal, then saw his contract converted to a standard one after the team waived Cole Anthony in March. His minutes trended up as the season wore on, and owner Mat Ishbia has pointed to his development as proof the organization can mine value from players other teams overlooked.
Nothing is official yet. No cuts have been formalized and no final roster announced, but the expectation is a wave of moves right after Phoenix wraps its preseason finale against the Utah Jazz on Friday. The Suns then open the regular season next Wednesday, October 21, on the road in Portland.
The Fantasy Fallout
Let's be honest about the fantasy ceiling here. Bouyea put up 12.6 fantasy points per game over 46 appearances last season (2025-26), and our model slots him at #336 overall — deep bench territory in all but the largest leagues. Making the roster is a win for his career, not for your lineup.
The move you actually track is Highsmith's. If Phoenix waives him as expected, he becomes a waiver-wire name only if a contender claims him into a rotation role; his 11 fantasy points per game in 7 games last season (2025-26) isn't enough to chase on its own. Verdict: WATCH Bouyea for now, but keep both on the bench unless opportunity opens up through injury or a new landing spot.
