Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie is having a career-best season in his third year as a pro.
Gillespie, who's a candidate for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, is averaging 13.9 points, four rebounds and 5.1 assists per night. He's shooting 44.7% from the field and 40.9% from deep.
He's having a breakout season after averaging 5.9 points in 33 games for the Suns last season. The Stein Line's Jake Fischer believes Gillespie will be highly coveted by other NBA teams this offseason.
"Some teams are projecting the former two-way player to command a contract in free agency next summer akin to the three-year, $27 million deal that Ty Jerome received to leave Cleveland for Memphis this past summer," Fischer said.
Gillespie spent his rookie season with the Denver Nuggets before signing a two-way deal with the Suns in the 2024 offseason. He re-signed with the team on a minimum deal last offseason.
"I’m not trying to suggest that I’ve heard any recent trade chatter involving the Villanova product, but he’s playing so well — Gillespie has emerged as a regular starter — that it made sense to clarify his status."
Gillespie has excelled in a bigger role for the Suns. He's already appeared in 32 games and made 13 starts this season. He's averaging a career-high 28.3 minutes per game and is second on the team in assists.
He's scored 10+ points in seven straight games, including a career-high 25 points on 10/14 shooting in a 115-101 win Monday against the Wizards.
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