The Denver Nuggets had Collin Gillespie in their system for two years. They signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and had him on two-way contracts in both 2022-23 and 2023-24. Unfortunately, they ultimately let him go to the Phoenix Suns—with whom he's emerged as a high-level NBA point guard.
As the Nuggets search for cost-efficient talent and an ideal backup point guard, Gillespie is throwing salt in the wound by agreeing to the type of team-friendly contract Denver can only dream of.
Gillespie played a grand total of 24 regular season games for the Nuggets, shooting 39.5 percent from beyond the arc along the way. Unfortunately, he didn't return for the 2024-25 season. He instead signed with the Suns, which featured him prominently in 2025-26 and have now rewarded him for his growth.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Gillespie plans to sign a four-year, $48 million contract with the Suns once the NBA's moratorium is lifted on July 6.
Free agent guard Collin Gillespie intends to sign a four-year, $48 million deal to return to the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. Gillespie spent three straight seasons on two-way contracts after going undrafted out of Villanova in 2022 and now earns a lucrative long-term deal. pic.twitter.com/HIBFG0dDMU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 20, 2026
With the Nuggets tied up in a surplus of hefty contracts and needing to create depth at point guard, one can't help but feel as though Gillespie is the one who got away on multiple fronts.
Collin Gillespie intends to sign four-year, $48 million deal with Suns
Gillespie was everything the Nuggets needed from a supporting guard in 2025-26, albeit while playing for a different team. He recorded averages of 12.7 points, 4.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 2.9 three-point field goals made in 28.5 minutes per game, shooting at a clip of .418/.401/.874.
Gillespie was one of just nine qualified players who buried a minimum of 2.5 three-point field goals made per game and shot 40.0 percent or better from distance.
That alone would've made him a perfect fit with a Nuggets team that ranked No. 1 in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage, but needed more volume at No. 20 in attempts. Gillespie's quality as a playmaker is what they likely would've benefited from the most, however, as no Denver player other than Nikola Jokic or Jamal Murray averaged more than 2.7 assists per game.
Gillespie also thrived as one of the best off-ball defenders in the NBA, ranking in the 98th percentile in ball screen navigation and the 94th percentile in off-ball chaser defense, per Basketball Index.
Perhaps $12 million per season would've been a bit too rich for Denver's blood for a backup point guard. Given Murray's versatility as an on and off-ball player, however, the Nuggets could've easily justified a similar figure as their offense would've been less predictable with another playmaker in the mix.
Unfortunately, the flawed decision to let Gillespie walk and never truly give him a chance in NBA games has come back to bite Denver once again.
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