Collin Gillespie: Phoenix's Bargain Table-Setter

Minutes in a deep room. Gillespie logged 80 games last season, the clearest sign of a guard Jordan Ott can lean on. He shares the backcourt with Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Kennedy Chandler, Jamaree Bouyea and Jordan Goodwin. Phoenix opened preseason with a 107-109 loss at the Pistons on 2026-10-05, then plays the Bulls on 2026-10-07.

The clean counting line. Across those 80 games, Gillespie averaged 28.5 minutes, 12.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.2 blocks, with just 1.6 turnovers a night. He shot 41.8% from the field and 87.4% at the free-throw line, a guard who protects the ball as much as he scores.

Efficiency by the numbers. Gillespie's advanced marks separate him: a 113.7 offensive rating against a 110.0 defensive mark, a plus-3.7 differential, 57.5% true shooting and an 18.1% usage rate. His 22.8% assist rate and 7.0% rebound rate round out a guard who does damage without needing the ball constantly.

Shooting from deep. He hit 40.1% of 7.2 three-point attempts a night, a volume-and-accuracy mix few Suns backups can match. Last season Phoenix's offense ranked 17th in the league while the defense ranked 9th; a shooter this reliable gives Jordan Ott's lineups a release valve when drives collapse.

A contract that ages well. Gillespie signed through 2029-30: $10.7M this season, climbing to $11.6M, then $12.4M, then $13.3M. That is a fraction of what Phoenix pays Devin Booker ($57.1M), Jalen Green ($36.3M) or Miles Bridges ($22.8M), and exactly the kind of value the Suns need with payroll at $216.2M, above the first apron.

Clean injury report. Gillespie carries no designation heading into tonight's game at the Bulls, unlike teammate Mark Williams, who remains out since a September 11 shoulder and arm issue. A clean bill of health matters for a guard Ott needs available every night to settle a crowded rotation.

What he needs to be. Gillespie doesn't need to score more; he needs to keep protecting the ball and hitting from three while the Suns sort out minutes for Khaman Maluach, Koa Peat and Ryan Dunn. If he holds his efficiency, he's the connective guard who makes Ott's bench units function.