2026 off season

[leclerc]

How much better can they become? Not much probably. Both should be paid as backups/barely rotation players. 7-9 range I think. Tier below Grayson and maybe a step down from Royce.

 

[Mainstreet]

13-15m per year for CG would be overpay, IMO. Around 9-10m per would be fair.

It's all about the market and what other teams would pay Gillespie. I'd rather slightly overpay and keep him happy if necessary.

When he first came to the Suns, I wanted them to sign him to a 4-year minimum type contracts with options, but they didn't.

Now the market will dictate how much he gets paid, along with a discount on how much he wants to stay in Phoenix.

 

[Mainstreet]

How much better can they become? Not much probably. Both should be paid as backups/barely rotation players. 7-9 range I think. Tier below Grayson and maybe a step down from Royce.

IMO, Gillespie is more than O'Neale who makes about $10 million+, with Allen making $18 million+, so I think around $13 million is a sweet spot.

 

[hcsilla]

Both would be a slight overpay if this report is correct, and I love them both.

Gillespie has a killer 3P, he is a mistake free/non-nonsense pseudo PG but he is a role player and always will be a target of scoring PG's. He is basically a TJ McConnell caliber of player (with a different profile) and he should be paid like one. McConnell gets 10 mil. and Gillespie should get more but not by 50%.

Goodwin is a rich man's vet min player, 15 mil. / 3 year and both sides should celebrate.

 

[Mainstreet]

Keith Smith of Spotrac leans towards the Suns picking up contracts on Jamaree Bouyea and Haywood Highsmith.

See below:


Keith Smith June 15, 2026

Phoenix Suns​

• Jamaree Bouyea - $2.6 million team option, contract then becomes non-guaranteed: There’s a good chance Phoenix picks up this option. They need point guard depth, with both Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin hitting free agency. If the Suns end up needing a little more flexibility under the tax or aprons, they could waive Bouyea later at no cost.

• Haywood Highsmith - $3 million partially-guaranteed contract ($1 million guaranteed): Because the Suns would have to eat $1 million upon waiving Highsmith, they’ll probably keep him. The hope would be that a year removed from injuries that Highsmith would be more productive. If not, $3 million is a nice chunk of salary to use in future trades.

Projecting 2026 Player and Team Options and Guarantees | Spotrac News

Listing out and projecting player and team options and salary guarantees.

www.spotrac.com

 

[Chaplin]

Highsmith was acquired for next year anyway. He's staying.

 

[JRakes]

It's all about the market and what other teams would pay Gillespie. I'd rather slightly overpay and keep him happy if necessary.

When he first came to the Suns, I wanted them to sign him to a 4-year minimum type contracts with options, but they didn't.

Now the market will dictate how much he gets paid, along with a discount on how much he wants to stay in Phoenix.

He’s going to whomever pays him the most money. First real contract for the man