Why Trade Calls Are Heating Up Green’s arrival via the Kevin Durant deal last summer was a headline move, but nagging injuries limited him to just seven games. Now healthy and cleared, the Suns see him as a core piece alongside Booker. Gillespie, meanwhile, has turned a minimum deal into a career year and is set to hit free agency.
What Fans Can Expect Phoenix appears committed to building around its current backcourt rather than flipping pieces, but the league’s rumor mill never sleeps.
The Phoenix Suns’ front office wasted no time turning the page from the 2026 trade deadline to summer planning, with early trade calls and free-agency discussions already resuming around key backcourt pieces Jalen Green and Collin Gillespie. As of February 20, 2026, just two weeks after the deadline, multiple insiders and team sources confirm that Phoenix is fielding inquiries on Green while simultaneously preparing a strong push to retain breakout guard Gillespie ahead of his unrestricted free agency this summer.
This early activity fits the pattern of modern NBA offseason cycles, where teams begin positioning assets and cap space the moment the deadline passes. For a Suns squad that has shown flashes of contention despite injury setbacks, these conversations will shape whether Phoenix stays the course with its current roster or explores targeted moves to bolster the supporting cast around Devin Booker.
Jalen Green: From Injury Setback to Backcourt Building Block
Jalen Green joined the Suns in the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade last summer, arriving alongside Dillon Brooks and multiple draft picks in exchange for the two-time Finals MVP. The 23-year-old guard brought explosive scoring and athleticism that the Suns hoped would pair perfectly with Booker’s elite creation.
However, a nagging hamstring injury limited Green to only seven games in his first season in Phoenix. Despite the slow start, general manager Brian Gregory has been vocal about the long-term upside. In recent comments, Gregory highlighted Green’s improved conditioning and explosiveness after the All-Star break, stating he is “in a good spot right now” and praising his daily commitment to rehab and workouts.
The Suns have repeatedly emphasized that Green is not on the trading block. Reports from late January through mid-February confirmed the organization views him as a foundational piece rather than a short-term rental. This stance has not stopped rival teams from making preliminary calls to gauge availability, especially as the 2026 offseason approaches and cap-strapped clubs look for young, high-upside talent.
Current Season Snapshot for Green
- Limited to seven appearances due to hamstring issues.
- Expected to ramp up minutes gradually in the second half.
- Projected to form one of the league’s most dynamic backcourts alongside Booker once fully healthy.
Gregory’s confidence in the pairing is clear: “His explosiveness, his ability to get to the basket, his feel for the game — I think those two guys together are going to form one of the best backcourts in the NBA as we move forward.”
Collin Gillespie: Breakout Star and Free-Agency Priority
While Green represents the high-upside acquisition, Collin Gillespie has emerged as one of the season’s most pleasant surprises in Phoenix. The Villanova product signed a one-year, $2.3 million deal last summer and has delivered career highs across the board: 13.3 points, 4.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 42.3% from three-point range.
Gillespie’s early Bird rights give the Suns a significant advantage in retention talks. ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted he is eligible for a four-year, $66.6 million extension with Phoenix — a contract that would require a minimum two-year commitment but could be structured favorably under the current CBA. The organization has expressed strong interest in bringing him back, viewing his playmaking, shooting, and defensive effort as ideal complements to Booker and Green.
With the trade deadline behind them, Suns executives are already engaging in preliminary discussions with Gillespie’s camp. Retaining him would likely push Phoenix deeper into the luxury tax, but owner Mat Ishbia has shown willingness to spend when the fit is right. League-wide, other teams are expected to make competitive offers, turning Gillespie into one of the more intriguing mid-tier free agents of the 2026 class.
How These Discussions Impact Suns Summer Strategy
The combination of Green’s established (yet injury-marred) presence and Gillespie’s impending free agency creates a unique cap and roster puzzle for Phoenix. Early trade calls on Green are largely exploratory — most teams understand the Suns’ commitment to keeping him — but they still provide leverage and information on the broader market.
A potential table of key offseason considerations for the Suns backcourt:
| Player | 2025-26 Key Stats | Contract Status (2026 Offseason) | Suns Stated Priority | Potential Trade/FA Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Green | Limited to 7 games; explosive scorer | Team-controlled through 2027-28 | Long-term keeper with Booker | Low likelihood of move; calls mostly exploratory |
| Collin Gillespie | 13.3 PPG, 42.3% 3PT, career highs | Unrestricted Free Agent | High-priority retention via Bird rights | Competitive FA market; 4yr/$66M possible |
These dynamics mean the Suns can use their stability with Green as a foundation while focusing trade assets elsewhere — perhaps targeting wings or bigs to complement the backcourt. International fans following the Suns (particularly in Asia and Europe where Booker and Green have strong appeal) will watch closely to see if Phoenix can build a sustainable contender without sacrificing future flexibility.
Broader NBA Context and International Appeal
The Suns’ situation reflects a league-wide trend: post-deadline “quiet periods” are anything but quiet behind the scenes. With the 2026 draft class already generating massive hype and several star contracts coming off the books, teams like Phoenix are balancing retention, cap management, and opportunistic trades earlier than ever.
For global audiences, the story resonates because both Green and Gillespie represent different paths to NBA success — Green as the high-lottery athletic talent finding his footing in a new city, and Gillespie as the undrafted grinder earning a big payday through hard work. Their potential long-term partnership with Booker could make the Suns one of the most watchable teams for fans outside the U.S., especially those who follow breakout stories and backcourt chemistry.
What Comes Next for Phoenix
The next several weeks will bring more clarity. The Suns are expected to ramp up Green’s workload in the second half, giving the organization a better read on his fit. Simultaneously, preliminary contract discussions with Gillespie will intensify. While no major trades involving either player appear imminent, the mere existence of early calls signals that the 2026 offseason will be active for the Valley.
Phoenix’s front office has repeatedly said they “love our group” and are excited about the internal growth. That message, combined with the early resumption of trade and free-agency dialogue, positions the Suns to enter the summer with clear priorities: keep the core intact, add depth where needed, and avoid the kind of blockbuster swings that have defined recent offseasons.
Whether the Suns ultimately stand pat or make calculated moves will depend on how quickly Green regains full rhythm and how aggressively other teams pursue Gillespie. One thing is certain — the phone lines in Phoenix are already buzzing again, just as they always do when a promising young core starts to take shape.
What are your thoughts on the Suns’ direction? Should they lock in Gillespie long-term and build around Booker and Green, or explore packaging one of them in a bigger swing? Drop your takes in the comments and subscribe for weekly updates on NBA trade rumors, free-agency news, and Suns-specific analysis.
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