There's no doubt that Collin Gillespie has quickly taken on a cult status with Phoenix Suns' fans. A combination of having a guy who truly cares out there each night, with just a sprinkle of Steve Nash about him, reminding us all of the glory days of years gone by. Gillespie can play too, and at this point we need to have a conversation about whether or not he should be starting.
The front office were smart to turn the 26-year-old from a G League player into a full-time member of their roster this offseason, but it is becoming clear the organization missed a trick with Gillespie. Signed to a one-year minimum deal, the backup point guard is already outperforming his contract and isn't looking back.
Suns risk losing Gillespie for nothing next summer.
Which is why they should have looked to ink him to a longer deal, because at the rate he is going this could be his last season in The Valley. To defend the front office for a moment, the Suns were in the second apron for much of the offseason until Kevin Durant was traded and Bradley Beal was bought out.
The Collin Gillespie change we'd really love to see is right here (✍️ @LucaLockheart)https://t.co/uu2rqZbaWy
— Valley of the Suns (@ValleyoftheSuns) November 2, 2025
It is also worth pointing out that not even the biggest Gillespie fan saw this kind of leap coming either. The Suns were right to sign him to a one-year minimum when they did, because the alternative was getting stuck with a glorified G League player who nobody else wanted. Gillespie is rightly going to want to get a lot more money and job security next summer, and the Suns may not be able to provide.
They've got to decide what to do with center Mark Williams, who is eligible for an extension on his own rookie deal, while Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks will be making $56 million between them in 2026-27. That is somehow still less than Devin Booker, who will be making $57 million. Throw in the new deal Williams likely gets, and already the money will be running out.
If there's a reason for Gillespie to stick around though, then he need only look at former Suns' floor general Tyus Jones. He was thought of as one of the best backups in the league with the Memphis Grizzlies, and had one great year starting for the Washington Wizards. He bet on himself by heading to Phoenix to try and win a championship - and he flopped badly.
That has continued with the Orlando Magic this season, proof that the grass is not always greener. Gillespie will likely never be as beloved or as important as he is in The Valley, worth considering when planning his future. But if he could secure even the midlevel to go elsewhere, he'd be mad not to go for it. Suns were right not to overpay for him, but it has now backfired with how well he's playing.