Stay with the team for one year in a contract! The Suns bet on the champion guard and once performed a fatal blow in front of the Clippers

On July 1, Shams Charania, a well-known NBA reporter, revealed exclusive news: Colin Gillespie, who played for the Phoenix Suns last season, is expected to sign a one-year full guarantee contract with the team, and will continue to wear the Suns jersey in the new season. The 25-year-old defender opened the Suns' door with a two-way contract last summer. Before this, Gillespie, as a member of the Denver Nuggets, personally experienced the exciting championship journey of the 2022-23 season, and won the O'Brien Cup with the team. From a marginal role in a two-way contract to a firm foothold in holding a guarantee contract, Gillespie has won himself a heavy recognition with her stable performance last season.

In the just-passed 2024-25 season, Gillespie found his place in Phoenix. He played in 33 regular season games and delivered a very impressive and efficient report card in a limited time of 14 minutes per game: 5.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. What is even more commendable is his shooting efficiency - the overall shooting percentage is 43%, the three-point line is as high as 43.3%, and the free throw shooting percentage has also reached a steady 86.4%, becoming a reliable cold gun on the Suns bench.

What makes Phoenix fans really remember him was the stunning performance in a tough battle in March this year. Facing his rival, Los Angeles Clippers, Gillespi turned into a "Shock" at the end of the game, stepped forward at the critical moment of deciding the victory and loss, hit a priceless three-pointer, almost taking over the final quarter with his own strength, and finally helped the Suns pass the thrilling level. In that game, he proved that he could not only contribute energy in regular time, but also shoulder heavy responsibilities at the decisive moment when the bayonet was successful.

The Suns management chose to use a guarantee contract to leave the defender with championship experience, and its intention was self-evident. Gillespie's mature style of play, stable projection and big heart traits at high pressure moments are exactly the depth of the bench needed for the Suns who are determined to hit higher goals. In the highly competitive West, a rotation player who can output efficiently in a limited time and is not ruthless at critical moments has a value far beyond the data table.

From Nuggets champion members to the Suns' two-way contract workers, to now holding a guaranteed contract to gain a foothold, Gillespie has taken every step of the way with a solid foothold. In the new season, can this low-key and powerful defender play a more important role on the Phoenix stage? Can the Suns' bet be rewarded in the fierce competition in the Western Conference battlefield? Time will give the answer, but Gillespie has proved with actions that he deserves this trust.