Phoenix Suns free agent Collin Gillespie cemented his fan-favorite status by leaving money on the table to re-up with the Purple and Orange. A team-friendly, four-year contract extension set to pay Gillespie $48 million in guaranteed money to stay in The Valley. As Yossi Gozlan broke down on his Third Apron Podcast, that was slightly below his own projection of four years, $50 million, and well below the potential early Bird rights maximum of four years and $68 million.
The Suns’ 2025-26 turnaround doesn’t happen without the breakout season enjoyed by Gillespie. He set career highs in games played, minutes, points, assists, rebounds, and steals per game, all while breaking the franchise record for 3-pointers made in a season with 232. When Gillespie hit free agency, retaining him became a top priority for the Suns front office.
That sentiment was clearly mutual, as Gillespie was already saying back in November 2025, before his career year was realized, that he wished to stay in Phoenix.
Mutual interest, selfless approach to free agency aid Suns
Here's how some of the most prominent signings of the summer grade out in my salary model that translates expected impact --> dollar value. Green is a good contract, red is bad.
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) July 6, 2026
Most contracts have been either good or neutral-ish, with one notable exception: pic.twitter.com/UcGrRFHcJW
As the dust settled on NBA free agency, Steph Noh of Sporting News tabbed the Gillespie signing as the second-best of the summer in terms of expected impact against dollar value by his salary model — behind only Boston Celtics breakout center Neemias Queta.
Gillespie finished third on the roster in win shares at 6.2 last season — behind only Devin Booker (6.5 win shares) and fellow 2026 free agent Mark Williams (6.3). Those three guys were also the only Suns players to finish with more than 4.7 win shares on the season. Gillespie shooting 40.1 percent from deep made an enormous impact on offense, while his 1.2 steals made him a difference-maker despite his size on defense.
Now, without a ton of depth at the point guard spot yet again with a trio of Gillespie, Jamaree Bouyea, and free-agent two-way signee Pat Spencer, the Suns need Gillespie to build on his stellar, breakout campaign.
He started 58 games a season ago as injuries plagued Phoenix’s backcourt. Unless head coach Jordan Ott pivots Jalen Green to a super sixth-man role, Gillespie should come off the bench to lead the team’s second unit and garner his own Sixth Man of the Year consideration, as he did at the start of last season.
Only backup big man Oso Ighodaro played more games than Gillespie a season ago, so that durability and reliability will be crucial — especially if Phoenix gets bitten by the injury bug once again in 2026-27.
With the four-year contract for Gillespie and subsequent three-year, $73 million extension awarded to culture setter Dillon Brooks, that tandem of “The Villain” and who he likes to call “Villain Jr.” is set to be key cogs for Ott once again.
If their consistent level of play continues, with (ideally) sustained health for Green and Williams, the Suns could very well stave off the possibility of regression this coming season. Gillespie's fan-favorite status is now cemented by putting comfort and team fit above money in free agency.
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