The Phoenix Suns have impressed and exceeded many fans’ expectations at the start of this year. Currently sitting seventh in the West and five games above .500, they are looking to be in the Play-In race at least this season.
After turning their roster around and losing two of the team’s three highest-paid players, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, this team turned a new leaf, going into a youth movement. This team decided to reset the roster and shake things up, to get to greener pastures. This time, instead of investing in name value, they invested in players who could change the culture and bring what Jordan Ott wanted: hard work, effort, and competitiveness, always when you are on the court.
We have seen that many players have been brought in on this roster, but one has risen to the occasion, even higher than some anticipated. That man would be Collin Gillespie.
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 23: Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 23, 2025 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 23: Collin Gillespie #12 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 23, 2025 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images)
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It is no secret that, if you have read my articles in the past, I am a massive fan of the former Villanova Wildcat. Since I got to see him play my alma mater, Seton Hall, twice every year, with them both being in the Big East, Gillespie has tormented my college team plenty of times, so I am used to what the Suns’ opponents’ fanbases have felt: the utter disappointment when you lose to CG.
With his introduction last year, Gillespie proved he could be part of this core moving forward. He stepped up in big moments when this team was injured (similar to Bouyea this year) and helped out the guard rotation who needed it. This offseason, he took a minimum contract to bet on himself once again, and it looks to be paying off.
Gillespie has once again seen starter minutes this year and is rising in those moments, too. This year, he has averaged 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, five assists, and 1.3 steals in 28 minutes per game. All while shooting effectively from all three levels as well. He is shooting 43.7% from the field, 41.5% from three, and 87.5% from the charity stripe. Since he has been such an impactful player, it’s known he is off the trade rumors, and that remains the case, but there is an update surrounding his situation.
As we all know, it is trade rumor season, and some of the best in the business to hear those rumors from are Marc Stein and Jake Fischer from The Stein Line. This Substack provides significant updates on trade season and keeps everyone plugged in. Well, recently, Fischer had a piece, and in there was a little sliver about Gillespie.
Gillespie was used sparingly last season by the Suns and was only able to land a one-year deal this season as a result. To be clear: I’m not trying to suggest that I’ve heard any recent trade chatter involving the Villanova product, but he’s playing so well — Gillespie has emerged as a regular starter — that it made sense to clarify his status.
What I have been hearing from rival team strategists, given that Gillespie entered Friday’s play with averages of 13.3 points, 4.9 assists and 3.9 rebounds while shooting better than 40% as a 3-point marksman, is that some teams are projecting the former two-way player to command a contract in free agency next summer akin to the three-year, $27 million deal that Ty Jerome received to leave Cleveland for Memphis this past summer.
As you can see, Gillespie has not only made noise in Phoenix but around the league as a solid starter so far this year. His best role for this team is the lethal 6-man scorer this squad needs, but he has stepped up to a big plate and delivered countless times this year as a starter, so I have to give him his flowers. The contract Fischer compares to Gillespie’s, Ty Jerome’s, is also a good one.
Jerome is a very similar story to Gillespie just last season. He was an unproven guard (someone who had also spent time in Phoenix) who happened to emerge as the backup for Cleveland last year. That dominant season led to more opportunities in their rotation when injuries arose, alongside Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. That being said, Jerome took the bag from Memphis, as Cleveland was an apron team and had some struggles keeping all their guys.
Gillespie follows in those footsteps a bit, being an unproven guard who signed with Phoenix at the beginning of last year on a two-way contract. Due to injuries, he got to play and quickly proved himself to be the backup point guard and better than former Sun Tyus Jones. This cemented him into this rotation, and some fans would have been overly mad at the Suns if they let him go last season. Now those same cries are intensified this offseason.
Now, Phoenix is in a different situation than Cleveland. Currently, the Suns are under both aprons and have the flexibility to bring back Gillespie. Even if he gets a bit more than Jerome, a three-year, $27-35 million dollar contract for Gillespie is fair and accurately priced for what he brings.
As we stand with the roster we have now, there will be five free agents (including Gillespie). With how much they make this season, that will free up $17,970,877. The Suns will still need to free up some money, but have the contracts of Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen, who combined make $27 million a year. If the Suns could trade them for expiring contracts and draft capital, that would make it even easier to bring Gillespie back.
There is always the worry he could leave and go somewhere else, but I don’t see that happening, in my opinion. Gillespie has stated he wants to stay in the Valley, but he is also someone who knows what it is like to believe in him.
As a high school player, he was recruited by Villanova and had to grind to get there. Even after grinding and becoming good after being uncertain about starting, he had that refreshing experience of making it to the NBA.
From undrafted to two-way to where he is now, he is still betting on himself and proving his doubters wrong. Phoenix has been by his side, bringing the best and giving him that shot to stand out, so they should reward him with whatever it costs to do so in free agency and look to prepare themselves to do so as well.
What are your guys’ thoughts on Collin Gillespie, and has he earned the contract he is rumored to get?