Phoenix Suns' Top 3 Priorities During 2026 NBA Offseason

The Phoenix Suns turned what seemed like it would be a forgettable 2025-26 NBA season into a fun, identity-forming one.

With the right blend of physicality, effort, hard-nosed defense and Devin Booker doing a lot of Devin Booker things, they sped past external expectations and authored a successful campaign.

Navigating the next step could be tricky, though.

They're still woefully short on roster-building resources, so their options for finding outside help are few and far between. They're also about to see a few hard-working fan favorites enter free agency, and while they're worth bringing back at the proverbial right price, they have to be careful about overplaying players who exceed more through sweat equity than skill.

Let's dissect what's on the docket now that Phoenix is heading into the offseason.

3. The NBA Draft

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With the Suns operating at a severe draft-pick shortage, they have to maximize the value of the ones they have. This season, that's a single second-rounder coming from the Philadelphia 76ers (landing in the mid-40s).

It won't deliver a blue-chip prospect, obviously, and probably won't yield a familiar name (at least for casual fans). If Phoenix handles it right, though, it just might produce a rotation-quality role player.

Nine different players picked in the 40s or later last year logged at least 500 minutes, and four of them cleared 1,000 minutes. One is almost certainly headed toward All-Rookie honors (Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud).

And the Suns have even had their own success within this range in recent years, turning the 40th pick of the 2024 talent grab into versatile big man Oso Ighodaro. Expanding the young core with this draft pick won't be easy, but it's definitely doable.

2. Mark Williams' Restricted Free Agency

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The Suns have already invested in Mark Williams once, parting with two first-round picks to acquire him during last year's draft. Now, they must decide whether he's worth a second investment, since restricted free agency awaits the 7-footer.

One can assume Phoenix would prefer to keep him around, but there's also almost certainly a walk-away price point. Especially with Khaman Maluach, last year's 10th overall pick, showing promise in limited minutes down the stretch.

Will anyone approach that pay rate, though? Cap space is generally limited around the league, and even those with money to spend and a void to fill at center probably wouldn't prioritize Williams with Jalen Duren (restricted), Isaiah Hartenstein (player option) and Walker Kessler (restricted) among the other bigs potentially hitting the open market.

With the Suns holding Williams' restricted rights, he only walks if they allow him to. It's hard to envision a scenario where they let that happen. He is 24 years old and incredibly toolsy, so the chance to further develop him must be inviting (especially when he was healthier this season than any campaign prior). And even if Phoenix is less than certain about his long-term fit, it might want another mid-sized salary on the books to help facilitate a future trade.

1. Re-Signing Collin Gillespie

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Undrafted in 2022, sidelined by a lower leg fracture shortly thereafter and unable to secure more than a two-way contract until last summer, Collin Gillespie rocketed to relevance this season with the Suns.

He broke the franchise record for made threes (232), had nearly three times as many assists as turnovers, and shot better than 40 percent from distance and 87 percent at the foul line. His plus-5.9 net differential bettered Devin Booker's mark (plus-5.7) and ranked second among the nine Suns who logged 1,000 minutes.

Gillespie obviously isn't getting only minimum money when he returns to the open market this offseason, but will he be a flight risk? The Suns have his Early Bird rights, so they can start his next contract around $15 million, and you'd think that would be enough for a 26-year-old (27 in June) with a limited track record and forgettable physical tools.

It's certainly possible—maybe probable—that Williams will sign a richer contract, but Gillespie is the free agent Phoenix can least afford to lose. The Suns have less control of the situation since he's unrestricted, and they lack internal options to replace him. Plus, he just made a bigger impact on winning than the bouncy big man.