NBA insider gives trade deadline insight, discusses Collin Gillespie’s ‘remarkable story’
NBA front office insider Bobby Marks discussed the Suns potential trade deadline plans, and the growth and impact Collin Gillespie has had on Phoenix this season with Bickley & Marotta.
Watch: Inside the Suns' offseason strategy and trade logic with CEO Josh Bartelstein | 19 mins
The NBA trade deadline is one day away, and ESPN’s NBA front office insider Bobby Marks said the Phoenix Suns may be best off staying put with the team they have.
Marks joined Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Wednesday and named one trade option and one player to target for the Suns, but praised the complexion of the current roster in Phoenix.
“They’re a fun story. I’ve equated them to the guy who’s hit pretty good at the blackjack table, and there’s a point where you just need to walk away from the table,” Marks said. “Just take your chips and go back to your hotel room.”
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 1 p.m. MST, and the Suns (31-20) haven’t made any major moves yet. Across the NBA, there were four trades on Tuesday, including former Arizona State Sun Devil James Harden going from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
For the Suns, Marks said center Nick Richards is an option to trade elsewhere because of his contract construction, and New York Knicks’ forward Guerschon Yabusele is a potential target.
“I think it’s probably just more marginal stuff. You hit on Nick Richards because he’s on an expiring contract,” Marks said. “Yabusele’s got a player option for next year, and he’s basically been ostracized in the Knicks lineup, and I think if you’re getting the player we saw in Philadelphia, I think that’s a player that can help you.
“I think where they are, at the worst, they’ll host a play-in game, but I think the goal is to get into the top six (of the Western Conference).”
Richards is in his sixth year in the NBA and his second with the Suns. He averaged 9.5 points and 8.6 rebounds in 22.7 minutes per game last season with Phoenix.
However, his role has virtually disappeared this season. Richards has started just two games, and he’s averaging 3.2 points and 3.3 rebounds in 9.1 minutes played in his 28 games.
Yabusele saw a career year with the Philadelphia 76ers last season, but has also seen his contributions fall off this season with a lack of playing time.
The former first-round pick averaged 11 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 27.1 minutes per game last season. He started 43 games and played in 70. However, he’s played in 41 games but started none this season, averaging 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in 8.9 minutes played per game.
The Suns currently hold the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. Phoenix is within three games of the San Antonio Spurs in the No. 2 seed and has a four-game lead on the Golden State Warriors in the No. 8 seed.
Which Suns player did Bobby Marks consider the best offseason signing?
Marks had nothing but great things to say about Collin Gillespie, who is coming off a career-high 30-point performance in Tuesday’s win over the Portland Trailblazers. The Villanova product has earned his keep this season, breaking out with the Suns.
“I think the Collin Gillespie signing might’ve been the best offseason transaction other than some of these trades — an actual signing,” Marks said. “It is quite amazing, and I am a big fan of Collin, for a guy who was in Denver, got injured, was with you guys last year, and I think we started to see that in the second half (of last season), what he has been able to do.”
“I think the Collin Gillespie signing might’ve been the best offseason transaction other than some of these trades … it is a truly remarkable story.”
ESPN’s @BobbyMarks42 joined @Bickley_Marotta to discuss Collin Gillespie’s growth and impact on the Suns this season. pic.twitter.com/UnVhARjREn
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) February 4, 2026
Gillespie played in 31 of the Suns’ final 37 games of the year last season. He scored double digits seven times, and five of those seven came in the last nine games of the season.
The third-year guard has continued that momentum into this season and stepped up when called upon with Jalen Green and Devin Booker injured.
“It is a truly remarkable story, and that man is going to get paid this summer, and hopefully it is by the Phoenix Suns,” Marks said. “I’m really happy for him.”
Gillespie has missed just one game this season and started 31 games. He’s averaging 13.8 points (43.5% on 7.1 3-point attempts), 4.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 28.3 minutes played per game — all of which are career-highs.
Related
Collin Gillespie's career night fuels Suns' comeback vs. Blazers
Jordan Ott wins Western Conference Coach of the Month for Suns' plucky January
James Harden traded from Clippers to Cavaliers, the Sun Devil's 6th NBA team
Dillon Brooks to sign extension with Suns, becoming long-term piece
NFL OL Andrus Peat, brother of Koa, announces retirement
Suns reveal 2026 preseason schedule
Comments
10 Comments
Ishbia will never trade Booker due to fan revolt. Booker sells tickets. My subliminal message is that Phoenix cannot afford both Booker at $53, $64 and then $69 million and Green at $34 million to $36 million. Trade Green and keep the more affordable Allen, Gillespie and Goodwin.
In three years Phoenix will pay $105 million for a Booker - Green backcourt?
That is financially irresponsible and prevent Phoenix from building a contender.
On the surface, I’m not sure that McCain was the answer needed to get under the LT. But then again, Morey saw an undersized defense-liability guard for whom he could maximize a return based on last season’s small sample size; and he perhaps saw that no GY trade would help him get under the tax.
I think Ainge far-overpaid for JJJ; I don’t think JJJ is the player he was even just 2 years ago, albeit the Jazz’ projected lineup is ostensibly formidable. But your point is taken — other teams are constructing for the future, molding themselves to chase rings. The Suns cannot be content with not being bottom feeders. The name of the game is to win a championship. Teams either go for gold or they tank (DAL) for the future. Few teams are content with mediocrity these days (even the Bulls are trying to shake things up & rebuild). I think BG needs to take a swing for the fences. I think they need to cash in on Brooks‘ career year and sell very high on his ability to effectuate culture change, or they need to trade Booker to a team that is going to get very desperate very soon to try to unload its megastar.
Several trades made by teams to get under the tax threshold and others beginning to make their move to relevance in the near future.
76ers trade Jared McCain, the 16th pick in '24 to the Thunder to thin their glut at guard and to lower their salary. The Thunder acquire McCain with the thought being that Presti will now move Lugentz Dort and the $36 million they owe him over the next two seasons.
The Mavs send Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell plus others to the Wizards. Dallas receiving two 1st rd picks and three 2nd rd picks plus Kris Middleton, Marvin Bagley III plus others. Dallas now seriously regretting extending Irving for three years and $119 million. Well that was done by none other than Nico Harrison.
The trade that should worry Phoenix is Danny Ainge sending three 1st rd picks to Memphis for Jaren Jackson Jr. Danny Ainge will now pair JJJ with Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler up front, with Keyonte George and Ace Baily in the backcourt. The Thunder, Spurs and now Utah are tweaking their rosters for the long-term.