The NBA Finals are over, and for the Phoenix Suns, the real work is just beginning. While the league’s attention shifts to the draft and trade season, the Suns are staring down a free-agency dilemma that could reshape their identity.
According to a report from Marc Stein, the Suns plan to actively pursue Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin — two guards who became far more than roster filler during the 2025–26 campaign. But Phoenix isn’t alone in its interest. Multiple teams are expected to come calling, and the Suns now face a critical decision: how much are they willing to pay to keep two players who helped redefine their culture?
Gillespie went from sixth man to indispensable
When the season tipped off, Gillespie was expected to provide scoring off the bench. Then Jalen Green went down with a hamstring injury, and Gillespie stepped into the starting point guard role. The Suns didn’t just survive — they thrived.
His playmaking was always solid, but it was his three-point shooting and relentless defensive grit that turned heads. On-court stats back it up: Phoenix was 3.7 points per 100 possessions better with Gillespie on the floor this season, compared to being 3.4 points worse the year prior. Different team, different coaching staff, but the impact was undeniable.
Gillespie brought a steadiness at point guard that the Suns lacked. Even if he returns to a bench role, his ability to run the offense and space the floor makes him a unique weapon — one the team can’t easily replace.
Goodwin is the heart of the dog mentality
Dillon Brooks talked about grit. Collin Gillespie embodied it. But Jordan Goodwin? He lived it every single night. At 6-foot-3, he plays bigger than his size, crashing the boards like a power forward and taking on the opposing team’s best perimeter scorer.
This was a career season for Goodwin. He shot better from deep, handled the ball with more confidence, and became one of the league’s top rebounding guards — especially on the offensive glass. Fans online have compared his energy to a Josh Hart type, and it fits. Goodwin is the kind of player contenders crave: high motor, low ego, always diving for loose balls.
In a league where role players often disappear in the playoffs, Goodwin proved he can handle big moments. The Suns’ front office has taken notice.
Can Phoenix realistically keep both?
The biggest hurdle isn’t willingness — it’s the price tag. Gillespie and Goodwin both outperformed their current contracts, and free agency could turn into a bidding war. Teams with cap space and a need for backcourt depth will be circling.
If starting center Mark Williams doesn’t commit long-term, the Suns might have more financial flexibility to retain both guards. But that’s a big if. Phoenix has to weigh continuity against the risk of overpaying for role players who thrived in a specific system.
One thing is clear: the Suns’ culture shifted this season, and these two were driving forces. Letting either walk would be a gamble — and in a Western Conference loaded with talent, losing the grit that made Phoenix dangerous could hurt more than any stat line suggests.
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