If you happen to see Phoenix Suns' General Manager Brian Gregory out enjoying a victory lap of Arizona, leave him be. He has had a great opening few months in the job that many felt owner Mat Ishbia gifted him as a result of their Michigan State connection.
Suns finding key contributors for future contender right now.
Part of the reason the Suns have been a tough out every night this season is because they've refused to lie down in the wake of the Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal disaster. You could forgive them for giving up on the here and now after their departure, but instead Gregory and the front office got creative.
With no draft picks coming down the road and Beal still on their cap sheet for the next five years, the organization used what little draft equity they had to land center Mark Williams. He has been brilliant, and if anything his value is only truly seen when he sits out back-to-backs.
Suns record when Mark Williams plays for less than 14 min: 1-4
— SleeperSuns (@SleeperSuns) November 30, 2025
Suns record when Mark Williams plays more than 20 min: 11-5
Mark Williams has been one of the key pieces of the Suns success this season. The Suns have been hurting when he isn’t on the court ☀️ pic.twitter.com/Xu6jSkCIwv
The Suns not looking close to the same team on either end of the court, and there may yet be a way to turn him into Anthony Davis if that is what the franchise decides to do. Not bad flexibility to have considering they looked lost at the start of the summer.
When the Suns are contending again, Williams is likely to be the starting center. Still only 23-years-old, he brings the best aspects of Deandre Ayton on a nightly basis, without the drama or the need to see more of the ball on his terms. He is going to get paid by the Suns this offseason.
Another brilliant addition has been point guard Collin Gillespie, who was rightly bumped up to the starting five in the last couple of games. A two-way player last season, he too should be brought back on a much larger deal next summer. Again he will be a part of a brighter future for this team.
Leading the charge is head coach Jordan Ott, a former top assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers who was just sitting there for anybody to hire. Much like Williams and Gillespie any other franchise could have gotten them, but instead it was the Suns who profitted.
It may be too soon to speak about their rookies also being part of contention in future, but there is every possibility that also happens. So while fans expected a down year, instead some key building blocks are being put in place around Devin Booker who will be there when it is time to contend.