Grading Collin Gillespie's New 4-Year, $48 Million Contract With Phoenix Suns

Free agency has officially heated up for the Phoenix Suns over a week before the opening that permits players to begin negotiations with other teams on June 30, as Collin Gillespie has reportedly landed on a four-year deal to stay in Phoenix - per ESPN's Shams Charania.  

Gillespie, soon to be 27, has spent the last two seasons of his pro career in Phoenix after opening his NBA journey as a member of the Denver Nuggets for two seasons following a successful collegiate career at Villanova.

The Philadelphia native originally emerged as an intriguing player late in the lost 2024-25 season, eventually playing himself into the starting lineup throughout much of the 2025-26 campaign - validating the faith that the franchise placed in a two-way player. Now, Gillespie is slated to be a key fixture in Jordan Ott's rotations for years to come - read more on a breakdown and grading of the agreement below.

Grading Gillespie Signing

It's difficult to poke many holes into this deal, as Gillespie proved to be a solidified rotation player at the very least. The recent salary cap boom has resulted in an inflated market for players that fit the mold of a traditional "role player" - examples include Denver gifting Christian Braun a five-year, $125 million deal directly prior to the start of last season.

The simple truth is that the soon-to-be fifth-year vet is as well-rounded of a player as an organization could ask for out of a top-six rotation piece. The 6'1" guard set a single-season franchise record with 232 three-point knockdowns across 80 games. Right off the bat, Gillespie's consistent availability and deadly nature as a movement shooter places him firmly within the framework of what the average organization will look for in a third guard. 

Beyond this, Gillespie is far more impactful as a playmaker and defender than one would imagine at the surface. The combo guard graded out incredibly high in numerous key offensive and defensive metrics last season according to Crafted NBA - including being in the 98th percentile in shot quality and in the 99th percentile when it comes to being foul avoidant. 

The simple truth is that Gillespie is a multi-faceted offensive player that can positively impact the game even when his shot isn't falling and absolutely will provide a defensive unit with a chippy, forward-thinking piece that typically avoids unnecessary fouls. 

Gillespie's all-around value, relative youthful positioning compared to the rest of Phoenix's roster, and a contract that will gift the Suns the ability to retain other talent can't be viewed as anything other than an absolute victory.

Grade: A

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Kevin Hicks is a contributing writer to SunsRoundtable. He can be reached on X at khicks_21.