The Detroit Pistons need to keep a close eye on Phoenix Suns point guard Collin Gillespie. Gillespie is arguably the most improved player in the NBA, award or otherwise, having made a colossal leap from the fringes of an NBA roster to the starting lineup for a potential playoff team.<\/p>\n
With an expiring contract and the perfect skill set to take pressure off of Pistons superstar Cade Cunningham, Gillespie should be a top target in free agency. And yet, no one’s really talking about him.<\/p>\n
Gillespie has perhaps the strongest case for the Most Improved Player award if we’re looking at it through the lens of what the name of the honor implies. He’s already played more games in 2025-26 (58) than he amassed between his first two NBA seasons combined (57).<\/p>\n
Moreover, Gillespie averaged 5.9 points, 2.4 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 three-point field goals made per game in 14.0 minutes during his 33 appearances in 2024-25.<\/p>\n
In 2025-26, however, Gillespie is averaging 13.4 points, 4.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 3.0 three-point field goals made on .431\/.420\/.843 shooting. Moreover, he’s not only playing 28.3 minutes per game, but has started 39 of his 58 appearances for a Suns team that’s already within three wins of its 2024-25 total.<\/p>\n
Compounded by the fact that the Suns are 6.8 points per 100 possessions better when Gillespie is on the court than when he isn’t, he’s the epitome of what the Pistons need from free agency.<\/p>\n
Pistons must sign Collin Gillespie to ease Cade Cunningham’s burden<\/p>\n
Cunningham is an MVP candidate who has put the Pistons’ offense on his back<\/a> while still maintaining a high level of play on defense. That’s both impressive and alarming, as the Pistons’ offensive rating drops from 118.9 when he’s on the court to 108.3 when he isn’t.<\/p>\n