The Phoenix Suns are in the midst of a franchise-altering offseason. After a season in which they went 36-46 and failed to qualify for the NBA Playoffs or NBA Play-In Tournament. That's when the changes started. Owner Mat Ishbia decided to fire Mike Budenholzer after just one season despite still owing him $40 million.
The next change came in the front office when Ishbia moved James Jones into an advisory position to install Brian Gregory as the new general manager. Ishbia and Gregory's relationship goes back to their days with the 2000 Michigan State National Championship team, where Ishbia was a player and Gregory an assistant coach.
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia sits courtside against the Indiana Pacers at Footprint Center.
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia sits courtside against the Indiana Pacers at Footprint Center.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Phoenix Suns make offseason decision on guard before free agency
Gregory likely worked closely with Ishbia before the decision was made to trade Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks. Not long after, Gregory flipped the No. 29 pick and a 2031 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams.
With free agency beginning at 6 p.m. ET Monday, Shams Charania announced that the Suns made a contract decision on one of their guards.
"Guard Collin Gillespie intends to sign a guaranteed one-year contract to return to the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN," wrote Charania. "Suns officials and agents James Dunleavy and Jordan Gertler of Excel Sports worked toward the deal that rewards Gillespie after a strong season on a two-way."
Gillespie appeared in 33 games for the Suns last season, including nine starts. His best outing came in a late-March game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He scored 22 points, dished out 10 assists and secured five rebounds.
While with the Suns' G League affiliate, Gillespie averaged 21.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 11.1 assists per game. While it's unlikely Gillespie will be in the starting lineup for the Suns, he's proven he can contribute at the NBA level, and the Suns agree, or they likely wouldn't have brought him back.