Inside The Suns

Suns Can Now Trade These 2 Players

We're past the Dec. 15 deadline for free agents to stay with the team -- these two Phoenix Suns can now be dealt, if the organization so chooses.
Dec 5, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) dribbles the ball during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Dec 5, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) dribbles the ball during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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PHOENIX -- As of Dec. 15, free agents who signed with teams over the summer are now eligible to be traded, which opens the door for two Phoenix Suns players.

Collin Gillespie and Nigel Hayes-Davis are the two Suns who now have the green light -- if the organization so desires.

Hayes-Davis feels more likely to be included than Gillespie.

Nigel Hayes-Davis

Phoenix Suns forward Nigel Hayes-Davi
Nov 29, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Nigel Hayes-Davis (21) against the Denver Nuggets in the first half at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Hayes-Davis has played in 18 games for Phoenix this season, averaging 9.1 minutes per night. While he's not a vital part of the Suns' rotation on the wing, his length certainly plays in favor of Suns coach Jordan Ott.

"I think it’s not only just physically and getting himself going, but it’s the mental that he can do it: be an early riser, be a hard worker. He fought his way back into the NBA. I think if you talk to him, he’s trying to figure out how exactly that looks for him," Ott said of Hayes-Davis at Suns Media Day.

"He’s as smart of a player as I’ve ever been around IQ-wise on both ends that he’s gonna figure out how to get himself on the floor and make an impact. I think it starts by his offseason workouts, but it’s gonna translate. It’s gonna click for him.”

It's possible his $2 million salary could be included in a trade as the deadline of Feb. 5 slowly approaches.

Collin Gillespie

Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespi
Nov 29, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) against the Denver Nuggets in the first half at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In the absence of Jalen Green, Gillespie has emerged as a key part of Ott's rotations and has made a legitimate claim to start for Phoenix even when Green does return to full health.

Gillespie's shooting a strong 42.5% from three-point land this season and has at least three assists in his last seven-of-eight games for Phoenix.

“He’s been putting in the work all summer. Everybody is just now seeing it. But we’ve been seeing it in open gyms. We’ve been seeing it in practice. So I’m happy for him that he’s gotten to show the world what he’s capable of doing," Devin Booker said of Gillespie, who has helped the Suns to a strong start in the 2025-26 season.

It's unlikely Gillespie is dealt barring an offer GM Brian Gregory can't refuse, though that offer probably doesn't exist for Phoenix at this point in time.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Suns active around the deadline, however. Those prospects just figure to hover around Phoenix doing something with their center depth.

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Donnie Druin
DONNIE DRUIN

Donnie Druin is the Publisher for Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns On SI. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with the company since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!