Skip to main content

Suns' biggest feel good story from last season is suddenly their greatest risk

How quickly a situation can change.
Apr 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Apr 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) against the Oklahoma City Thunder during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

When looking at which Phoenix Suns player made the greatest individual leap relative to expectations last season, we've already put forward the case that Jordan Goodwin was the obvious choice.

To go from being ditched by the franchise, to excelling in different ways in Memphis and Los Angeles before coming back again, shows the kind of resilience that deserved a new contract in Phoenix.

Collin Gillespie feel good story that could quickly turn sour

There is no doubt that fellow point guard Gillespie was the feel good player of the campaign, turning a two-way contract with the organization into a shiny new four-year, $48 million deal. He also exceeded expectations wildly and was one of the Suns' top performers as they returned to the playoffs.

But there is reason for concern now (we know, where is the optimism we displayed with Jalen Green gone?), as Gillespie now has to be the Suns' sixth man and first guard off the bench on any given night.

While he is well up to the task, he no longer has the safety net of Grayson Allen alongside him to take over some secondary playmaking duties and defending some bigger scoring guards. His replacement Luke Kennard a more one-dimensional, but no less effective 3-point shooter, player who won't be able to replicate all that Allen did for this group.

We've seen Gillespie get picked on defensively because of his lack of size, although you could never question his heart.

But the 27-year-old will now be checking into the game to replace one of either Green or Devin Booker, and when that happens he needs to become an elite playmaker immediately.

Again he showed he can do this last season, but we also must not forget that in the playoffs he was found wanting. It is hard to expect a former G League standout to have an impact against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Gillespie being a regular season innings eater is no bad thing.

Only he's been promoted to a role in which more will be required of him, and neither Dillon Brooks or Miles Bridges will be able to help him out either. If anything both will expect to receive the ball in the spots they like by Gillespie from the jump.

It is easy when you're defying expectations to play with a freedom and get the fans firmly on your side. When you're being paid to produce at the level of one of the best backup floor generals in the league, the margin for error is a lot smaller. Gillespie may be getting set up to fail here, even if coming back made sense for all involved.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations