The Phoenix Suns’ decision to bring Duop Reath to training camp could force them into a tough choice, and either path comes with risk. If Reath sticks, Jamaree Bouyea or Haywood Highsmith likely has to go, and Phoenix may be left wondering whether it just created another Jordan Goodwin situation.
That’s the warning sign here: whichever player gets waived has a real chance to land somewhere else and make the Suns look short-sighted. Goodwin already did that once.
He was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2023-24 season after a mini breakout as a starter, then went on to play 33 games for the Los Angeles Lakers. Phoenix later got him back in the deal connected to Bradley Beal, because the Lakers made the same kind of mistake.
The Suns were hunting for ways to improve a roster already stretched thin by multiple superstars chasing a championship, and they underestimated Goodwin. Phoenix did not repeat that error, and the numbers showed he was one of the team’s standout performers last season.
If the Suns are the ones who have to move on from Bouyea, he looks like the cleaner fit to thrive elsewhere. He has shown he can steer an offense in short stretches, and his size makes him a plus defender at guard.
That was enough for him to share the floor with Goodwin at times last season. In fact, being a two-way guard might be the strongest argument for keeping Bouyea over Highsmith, since he could pair with Jalen Green in certain lineups and help cover for Green’s defensive issues.
Highsmith has his own appeal. Miami loved him, and he fit the Heat’s culture well.
The reason he ends up behind Bouyea in this situation is simpler than anything else: Phoenix hasn’t seen his best because of injury. And with the Suns trying to stay competitive, they can’t keep piling on more injury-prone players.
There’s also a catch to all of this. Reath only has a camp deal, and Mark Williams is not expected to miss the whole season.
So even if one of Bouyea or Highsmith gets cut now, that doesn’t mean the story ends there. When the Suns rework the back end of the rotation again, don’t rule out the possibility that the waived player comes back.
Phoenix is building a reputation for taking care of its players with fair extensions and a measure of career security, while also rewarding guys who fit the way it wants to play. That’s why this situation is so tricky.
Bouyea and Highsmith both seem to make sense in Phoenix, maybe more than they would anywhere else. And like Goodwin, one of them could end up back with the Suns down the line on another long-term deal.
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