The NBA Finals concluded on Saturday, which meant teams like the Phoenix Suns can begin having discussions with their potential free agents. There are three key ones, being Mark Williams, Collin Gillespie, and Jordan Goodwin.
The latter two proved just how irreplaceable they truly are. In a report from Marc Stein, he mentioned that they will actively pursue the two guards
With that, plenty of teams will pursue them in free agency, hoping to bolster their respective units, which means the Suns need to do everything to keep them.
Collin Gillespie offers immense value for the Suns
Weeks before the 2025-26 season tipped off, Gillespie was thought of as the sixth man. That role quickly pivoted into being the starting point guard once Jalen Green missed significant time with a hamstring injury.
Many thought the team would vastly drop off, but it was the inverse. He brought a steadiness to the floor and an uncanny 3-point shooting that stood out.
The playmaking was always there, but Gillespie’s dog mentality helped the Suns and their identity. The statistics proved it. His teammates and coaches relished in it. Most importantly, it contributed to winning.
Phoenix was 3.7 points better when he was on the court, compared to being 3.4 points worse the season prior. Granted, it was obviously a different team and different coaching regime, but the impact was impressive.
He brings a playmaking ability that no one on the team has. Yes, Devin Booker and Jalen Green are quality playmakers, but they don’t bring Gillespie’s impact because he’ll likely be coming off the bench if he re-signs.
Whether a starter or a sixth man, the combination of playmaking, grit, and elite shooting makes him a must-stay.
Jordan Goodwin brings what no one else does for the Suns
Yes, the dog mentality was a staple of the Suns’ culture. And while Gillespie brought that, along with Dillon Brooks, who emphasized it, there was one man who exemplified that night in and night out: Goodwin.
The 3-and-D guard plays bigger than his size, but is always the first one diving for a loose ball, having the premier defensive matchup, and playing with never-ending energy.
During his career season, Goodwin opened up about his perspective and how his approach changed. It went from overthinking to simply excelling in his role.
He’s one of the best rebounding/offensive rebounding guards in the league. Not to mention, the scoring uptick was the perfect blend.
Like how teams crave someone like a Josh Hart, Phoenix has its rendition of it with Goodwin.
Can the Suns legitimately re-sign both players?
If Williams doesn’t commit to the team in the long term, it’s definitely possible. However, the biggest hurdle won’t be if the Suns would be willing to pay, but how much they would want to pay.
Some teams can offer Gillespie a hefty payday after what he accomplished in 2025-26. The same goes to Goodwin, who had a career season too.
It could be a strategy where competing teams could have a bidding war to see who will fork over the most money to the two guards.
With the Suns’ culture drastically shifting, keeping two of their biggest pieces has to be a priority. Having a sense of continuity will help them in an age where player movement is always a topic of discussion during this time of the year.
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