Ty Jerome just set the price for the Suns' major offseason plans

What do the Phoenix Suns and Ty Jerome of the Memphis Grizzlies have in common? Up until right now, absolutely nothing outside of the fact Jerome would be an intriguing fit in head coach Jordan Ott's system.

That was until Jake Fischer dropped his latest intel as part of The Stein Line's substack, with the focus firmly on point guards around the league. One name that surprisingly came up was Collin Gillespie of the Suns, which is where the link was made.

Jerome's most recent contract is what Gillespie will likely command

As part of the breakdown, Fischer noted that despite the fantastic play of Gillespie this season, he has heard no chatter of any potential movement of the player before the deadline (no surprise there).

The important part from the perspective of the Suns however is the fact that the number he could command next offseason continues to increase because of how well he has played.

Something like the three year, $27 million deal that Jerome inked to head to Memphis last summer, having had a breakout campaign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting, and it is not unreasonable to think Gillespie could yet finish in the same spot when the season is over, yet another comparison between the two.

What does this mean in Phoenix? Gillespie has always spoken about a willingness to stay in The Valley when asked about it, while the organization would no doubt love to have him back.

He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026, and is going to get a pay increase on the minimum deal he currently has without any doubt.

Where it gets difficult is with the Early Bird Rights that the Suns have on Gillespie having spent the last two seasons with the franchise. This means they can bring him back on a deal up to 175 percent of his previous salary, or the average salary throughout the league.

Which could well happen, but this is why Jerome ended up leaving Cleveland. They are in the second apron and couldn't get to the number the Grizzlies ultimately gave him.

While the Suns thankfully are no longer in that position, they have three players in Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green again making monster money.

They have to decide what to do with Mark Williams, and you know they're bringing him back as he enters restricted free agency.

Moving on from Grayson Allen could yet happen before the deadline, while Gillespie isn't even the only point guard the front office has to make a decision on.

He's ahead of Jamaree Bouyea in the pecking order, but he too has been much better than expected. He could also find himself playing elsewhere for more money next season.

This Ty Jerome comparison is not a bad one, and for Gillespie it is more than he deserves having fought his way into a starting role in Phoenix.

There is every chance the Suns bring him back on a number that works for everybody, but this is a timely reminder that the rest of the league is noticing how well he has performed and is prepared to open the cheque book.