The Phoenix Suns appear to have prioritized bringing back both Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin this offseason, which given their lack of ball-handlers on the roster makes sense.
Both are also excellent defenders at their position, and as we have already discussed they are ideal in tandem at slowing down superstars such as Jalen Brunson.
Gillespie and Goodwin will compete for sixth man role in Phoenix
Assuming the front office does offer both players new contracts to come back, then the pair will be in direct competition for the sixth man spot in The Valley. A great problem for head coach Jordan Ott to have, given how competitive Gillespie and Goodwin are and how that can only make his rotation stronger.
But who will win out between the two?
You would think Gillespie has the edge here, given he will be getting paid more to return and just had his best season as a professional in Phoenix. The Suns have traded Goodwin in the past, although all involved would admit that was a mistake.
Surprisingly only a year seperates the two (Gillespie is 26-years-old and Goodwin a year his senior), while Goodwin can realistically claim to be the better and more versatile defender. His longer body ensuring he is better equipped to stick to scorers in a way Gillespie cannot.
What works for Gillespie is the fact he is a better 3-point shooter (over 40 percent in two seasons in The Valley), while trying to defend larger opponents does not deter him. He's also better at both running off screens to get open looks and chasing other players around those same screens when on the other end of the court.
Looking at the fit and Gillespie makes more sense alongside Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, plus whatever center the team has on the court. He is an above average offensive threat, although Goodwin sharing the court with Jalen Green also ensures better balance on both ends.
Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale both surely have something to say about this and will be fighting for the sixth man spot themselves, but that assumes both are back for 2026-27. One of the two is likely to start on a frequent basis as well, given the injuries Green had last season and how seamless a fit O'Neale in particular is with the starters.
This feels like Gillespie's role to lose then, but Goodwin has only ever exceeded expectations when faced with adversity.
It remains a great problem to have, but a sixth man who can do a bit of everything while also controlling possessions for the Suns feels like the spot Gillespie was meant to have in the NBA.
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