One of the most disappointing aspects of the Phoenix Suns’ 2024-25 season was the development of their point guard situation. The franchise doing all they could last summer, to add both Tyus Jones and Monte Morris to their roster. A feat that was nothing short of remarkable, given the team only had the veteran’s minimum to work with in any deal.
This was done because the previous year – Bradley Beal’s first in The Valley – saw himself and Devin Booker share the playmaking responsibilities. It did not work. Unfortunately neither did Jones – and to a lesser extent Morris – which now means that the organization will be once again looking for a floor general to run the show this summer.
Only Collin Gillespie is the guy and he’s already on the roster.
If you watched the Suns play during the regular season, then you will know there is one thing that was guaranteed which Collin Gillespie checked into any game. He worked his socks off, particularly on the defensive end. His inclusion alone wouldn’t have improved the Suns much on the shocking 27th they finished in defensive rating (117.7), and simply working hard isn’t enough when trying to win big.
Only the Suns didn’t have enough players doing the dirty work around Booker, Beal and Kevin Durant, and Gillespie was a breath of fresh air in that regard. The fact he was on a two-way contract made him even more eager to prove his point and nab a roster spot every time he was with the Suns, and he did a great job of putting himself in the shop window moving into next season.
Although the Suns may once again look to outside help to improve – this breakout playoff performer would be an amazing get – Gillespie might just be everything they need. Although the team actually gave up slightly more points when he was on the court (118.4), watch any game and you’ll see how much more comfortable he was defending, unlike Jones.
Gillespie also spent some time on the court with rookies or inexperienced players, which didn’t help his numbers either. That’s not to make excuses for him though, because Gillespie would have to improve on that end to really stick in Phoenix. Shooting over 43 percent from deep on more than two attempts per night however, is exactly what the Suns need next to Booker.
Perhaps no number better illustrates the team moving towards Gillespie as a longer-term option than the fact he averaged 14 minutes per game. Which in itself is not impressive, until you consider Jones went from 32.5 minutes at his peak early in the campaign, all the way down to 20 minutes by year’s end.
He also lost his starting spot as well – and although Gillespie hardly wrestled that from him – starting 9-of-33 games played for the Suns at a time when they were desperately trying to win is not nothing. It has become painfully apparent that the team didn’t have enough regular season fight to it, and Gillespie would help to change that.
If the front office are being honest with themselves – once Durant leaves town as most expect him to – then being true contenders for 2025-26 isn’t likely to be on the agenda anyway. Taking a step back to re-tool around Booker before another championship push makes sense, and Gillespie appears to be the ideal individual to help them navigate this tricky period. He must be kept in The Valley.
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