In one of the first real, meaningful pieces of offseason NBA news, the Phoenix Suns re-signed Collin Gillespie to a four-year, $48 million extension. Gillespie spent three seasons on two-way deals, so this is a huge step for the soon-to-be 27-year-old guard who broke out in Phoenix this season.
Free agent guard Collin Gillespie intends to sign a four-year, $48 million deal to return to the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. Gillespie spent three straight seasons on two-way contracts after going undrafted out of Villanova in 2022 and now earns a lucrative long-term deal. pic.twitter.com/HIBFG0dDMU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 20, 2026
It’s a nice payday and a huge raise, but it still feels like an absolute steal for the Suns, and that’s what makes this so interesting for a team like the Celtics, who are eyeing a bunch of possible transactions this summer.
On the one hand, it’s a bummer because Gillespie would have been a dream fit in Boston as a third guard. He could have started or come off the bench and provided scoring, passing, ball-handling, and solid defense. He can play on or off the ball and is extremely reliable as well.
He brings intangibles and fundamentals and a sense of toughness and scrappiness that the Celtics really could have used. Considering they have the full mid-level exception to work with, the Celtics easily could have trumped this offer and paid Gillespie much more handsomely to come contend for championships in Boston.
Celtics should have solid power in free agency with full MLE
At the same time, that’s where the Celtics should look at this deal as good news. If the market for a player like Gillespie is that watered down, they should be able to do some real damage with that $15 million MLE and may be able to lock up their own potential free agents, Neemias Queta and Jordan Walsh, to value deals.
Of course, they still need players to be available and to want to take their money, but it’s still comforting to know that a $15 million offer in free agency carries some serious weight. Honestly, I’m skeptical that they’ll be able to find a better fit than Gillespie, even with a higher budget, but if there’s an option they really like, they have the means to go get him.
Gillespie played in 80 games this season, starting 58, and averaging 28.5 minutes. He put up 12.7 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game on 40% three-point shooting. And the stats don’t speak to what he brings in terms of floor presence. There’s a reason he won a national championship at Villanova, along with a Big East Player of the Year Award.
He may have been slept on when he entered the NBA, but he has done nothing but prove his worth in every chance he’s been given. Now he figures to be a featured part of the Suns’ plans going forward, and he has absolutely earned it. Hopefully, the Celtics can find a similar bargain in free agency.
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