As Phoenix faces a crossroads, the sharpshooting guard must expand his offensive repertoire and seize a high-volume role to transform from a reliable starter into a legitimate star.
One of the most pressing questions facing the Phoenix Suns heading into the 2026-27 season is a common one NBA-wide.
Just how high is the ceiling of a playoff hopeful that isn't quite in the tier of legitimate contender?
As a matter of fact, the consensus seems to be shifting towards Phoenix being a team that falls short of the playoffs rather than taking another step towards contention.
One of the major pieces driving this conversation is guard Collin Gillespie. The now long-term fixture of the organization is coming off of a true breakout season, where the Villanova product demonstrated an ability to be a starting caliber player in the NBA.
Just how much more can the 6'1" guard break out in the league?
Ian Dardani of NBA.com believes there's another gear that Gillespie has in him, as he labels the Pennsylvania native as the Suns' breakout candidate in the season ahead.
Dardani rightfully points out that even more pressure will be on the sharpshooter to excel to an even greater degree as a three-point shooter in 2026-27 following the departures of Royce O'Neale and Grayson Allen. He also points out that Gillespie brings more to the table beyond just floor spacing.
The question around just how high Gillespie can climb rests in the volume question. Will the presumed sixth man receive enough opportunities to make the jump that smaller guards in the past (Jalen Brunson, Isaiah Thomas, etc.) took advantage of?
This is a real concern, as Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Miles Bridges are all high-volume players in extension of Devin Booker.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see Gillespie's three-point volume from last season (7.2 attempts per game) expand in the season to come, but will he receive more looks from the field as a whole?
Beyond this, Gillespie does need to show a greater capacity to pressure the rim and get to the free throw line, as he is on the low-end in the scope of the league in free-throw rate. An increase in drives to the lane, getting to the line, and becoming a more well-rounded scorer will only enhance the areas of his game that are already present.
Just how high can Gillespie continue to climb? The 27-year-old has a ceiling that is to be determined, but there is a world in which a turn to stardom isn't out of reach.
