Collin Gillespie’s Breakout Year: From Two-Way Signee to Phoenix Suns’ Secret Playoff Weapon

PHOENIX—Few stories in the 2025-26 NBA season have risen faster than Collin Gillespie’s. The former Villanova floor general entered training camp fighting for a roster spot; he’s now the Phoenix Suns’ heartbeat, averaging 13.5 points, 4.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals while ranking top-10 league-wide in made three-pointers at a sizzling 43 percent clip. Gillespie’s two-way impact has vaulted him into serious Sixth Man and Most Improved conversations and, just as importantly, onto front-office whiteboards ahead of a pivotal free-agency summer. League executives told HoopsHype the 26-year-old could command $10-15 million annually—far above the minimum deal he signed last July—forcing Phoenix to weigh luxury-tax penalties against retaining its newfound playmaking engine. Why the bidding war? Start with fit. Head coach Jordan Ott’s up-tempo scheme demands guards who pressure the rim, spray to shooters and hound the ball defensively. Gillespie checks every box, leading the Suns in charges taken and deflections while sharing the floor seamlessly with stars Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks. Off the ball he punishes soft close-outs; on it he’s mastering the pick-and-roll, keeping lob threat Mark Williams fed and corner snipers engaged. Durability has been another selling point. After a one-game absence caused by a bruised left hand, Gillespie was cleared for Thursday’s win over Detroit, immediately sliding back into 30-plus minutes and bumping veteran Jordan Goodwin to the bench. Ott credited his point guard’s “coach-on-the-floor” presence for Phoenix’s 18-4 record when Gillespie logs at least 25 minutes. The numbers only hint at the narrative juice driving searches for “Collin Gillespie stats,” “Collin Gillespie injury update” and “Collin Gillespie contract.” Fans still see the undrafted guard who shattered his tibia as a rookie; rivals now see a relentless competitor who buries clutch mid-range jumpers and refuses to surrender the ball. Front-office chatter suggests multiple cap-space teams—most notably the Spurs and Jazz—could chase Gillespie with starter money in July. Phoenix owner Mat Ishbia insists re-signing him is “a no-brainer,” but doing so alongside center Williams would push the Suns deep into tax territory. Expect negotiations to escalate after the trade deadline once Phoenix has clearer payroll flexibility. Short-term, the Suns are prioritizing awards campaigns. Gillespie currently sits third on the NBA’s official Kia Sixth Man ladder and fifth in updated Most Improved odds at major sportsbooks. Sustaining his 3-point volume while keeping turnovers under two per game could punch his ticket to both ballots—and further inflate his market value. What’s next? The Suns embark on a five-game road swing beginning Saturday in Denver. Scouts are circling the Feb. 14 matchup at Utah, viewing it as a litmus test against a rugged perimeter defense. Gillespie, for his part, remains unfazed: “I love where I’m at,” he told reporters. “If I play winning basketball, everything else will take care of itself.” With every no-look dime and floor-burn steal, Collin Gillespie is proving that mantra correct—and turning one of 2026’s hottest search trends into the NBA’s newest success story.