Suns still have time to make crucial decision that will boost their playoff hopes

The Phoenix Suns are fighting to stay in the top ten in the West because that's the only way they can keep their playoff aspirations alive. It's not the position the Suns want to be in, but it's their only shot to punch a ticket to the first round. Doing so will require winning two Play-In Tournament games, which will be no easy feat.

They'll need all hands on deck -- including Collin Gillespie. He signed a two-way contract with Phoenix over the summer after spending the first two seasons in Denver. The 25-year-old has played only 23 games for the Suns, which included the biggest moment of his NBA career.

Gillespie was Phoenix's unlikely hero in its 119-117 comeback win over the Clippers earlier this month. He posted 10 points (4-of-6 shooting), three assists, and two rebounds in 15 minutes. He knocked down a clutch three-pointer with under a minute left to seal the win.

Gillespie has played at least 11 minutes in seven of the Suns' last eight games. He's started in their previous four games -- all wins.

Believe it or not, the guard is ineligible to play in the postseason because he's on a two-way contract. Phoenix will need to convert Gillespie's deal to a standard contract to make him eligible, and Mike Budenholzer said it's something the Suns haven't talked about yet.

Collin Gillespie is currently ineligible to play for Suns in postseason

Gillespie entered the starting lineup after Bradley Beal suffered a hamstring strain. Budenholzer said the veteran guard is doing on-court work, but that he won't play on Wednesday when the Suns host the Celtics.

Budenholzer will have to decide whether to keep Gillespie in the starting lineup when Beal is able to play again. The early returns look good for Gillespie, who has given Phoenix a much-needed spark. He's recorded 16 assists over the last four games and only two turnovers.

It'd be hard to see the Suns delegate Gillespie back to the bench, given how he's helped keep their season alive. Nobody would've guessed Phoenix would beat Cleveland on March 21, and Gillespie's 13 points (3-of-3 shooting from three), four assists, two rebounds, and one steal were key in the win.

The Suns will have to waive a player to convert Gillespie's two-way contract to a standard deal, and they'll have until the last day of the regular season (April 13) to do so. Keeping the guard around for the postseason is an easy decision.