Despite this being a terrible 2024-25 season for the Phoenix Suns, they somehow find themselves in the 10th spot in the Western Conference, and with an outside chance of still actually making the playoffs. This has as much to do with injuries to other organizations than anything else, but their current two-game winning streak has arrived at the right time.
The fact we have to praise this group at all for winning back-to-back games is the problem in Phoenix, but beating the Cleveland Cavaliers was a nice boost for the team. It is also interesting that this current uptick in performances has come while Bradley Beal has been unavailable, with some fringe players taking their opportunity well.
Collin Gillespie will be ineligable for the playoffs if the Suns make it.
There's no doubt that point guard Collin Gillespie has been one of the nice surprises of the season when he has played. The comparisons to Steve Nash are very much meant to be tongue in cheek, but what we can say about him is that he plays hard on both ends of the court when he is out there. That has not been the case for many other players on the roster, and it shows when Gillespie plays.
Alongside rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, head coach Mike Budenholzer has turned to them more in the last week or so, and the results so far have been promising. It is almost as if having two superstars in Devin Booker and Kevin Durant surrounded by younger legs who try really hard can lead to some wins, and it has.
Gillespie though is on a two-way contract, which means he can only be part of the main roster in Phoenix for 45 days throughout the course of the season. It is difficult for him to build any momentum when that is the case, and he deserves a lot of credit from bouncing between the Suns and their G League affiliate the Valley Suns and playing different roles on both rosters.
In the G League it is clear Gillespie is one of the guys there who deserves a real shot in the league, there is just not enough space for him. From the perspective of the Suns this situation gets worse though - as should they actually make the playoffs - Gillespie won't be able to play. That's part of the deal when you're on a two-way contract.
The Suns also have 15 players on their roster, so they would have to cut somebody in order for Gillespie to take their spot and play his part. Which the franchise should absolutely do, but it remains to be seen if they will. Damion Lee appears to be a popular locker-room presence - even if he doesn't play - while Bol Bol has done ok with some run himself recently.
The most obvious answer here is Vasilije Micic - who arrived with Cody Martin in the Josh Okogie trade - but it could be silly to give up on him without ever really giving him a shot. Beyond that there is nobody else, which is the problem here. Gillespie deserves his opportunity in the postseason, but it is unclear at this stage whose spot he should be taking for that to happen.