Collin Gillespie, one of the league’s top role-playing guards, and definitely someone who had a tremendous impact on the Phoenix Suns making the playoffs, is staying put on a four-year, $48 million deal. For many teams, the one and only reaction to this news is disappointment, as Gillespie was a great addition for a variety of reasons.
Free agent guard Collin Gillespie intends to sign a four-year, $48 million deal to return to the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. Gillespie spent three straight seasons on two-way contracts after going undrafted out of Villanova in 2022 and now earns a lucrative long-term deal. pic.twitter.com/HIBFG0dDMU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 20, 2026
But for the LA Clippers, there is a positive outlook, and it is strictly tied to Bennedict Mathurin. How? Well, Mathurin is an upcoming restricted free agent, and because a similarly valued guard in Gillespie was underpaid by Phoenix, he probably won’t be offered a salary over $15 million annually, which is likely well under his desire.
Had Mathurin shown more after the trade deadline, the Clippers would have had to make it a priority to create room for a long-term deal.
Benedict Mathurin isn’t worth but a little more than Collin Gillespie’s contract
Due to the fact that Bennedict Mathurin is just 23 years old and has a ton of potential to become a star in the NBA one day, one might argue he’s in a different tax bracket than Collin Gillespie.  That’s fair judgment, and the LA Clippers certainly hope he progresses to new heights, but at the moment, they aren’t far apart.
Collin Gillespie, on the season, averaged 12.7 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.1 rebounds, shooting 41.8% from the field and 40.1% from beyond the arc.
These are excellent numbers. Gillespie was essentially doing it all for the Phoenix Suns.
Mathurin, on the other hand, was phenomenal directly after the blockbuster trade from the Indiana Pacers. For context, he scored 38 points in his home debut and looked like a player the Clippers wouldn’t be able to afford in the summer.
Unfortunately, for the remainder of the year, inconsistencies, poor three-point shooting, and a selfish downhill mentality became apparent in Mathurin’s game.
He really went 17 for 82 from a distance, and scored 10 points or less in seven of his 26 games as a Clipper.
Additionally, it got to the point where Tyronn Lue played him only 5 minutes against the Portland Trail Blazers. Keep in mind, this was the biggest game of the regular season, as it ultimately decided where the Clippers would finish in the Play-In Tournament.
That said, the figure Gillespie just signed for is something to keep in mind regarding Mathurin’s market. He most likely won’t be offered a significantly greater amount.
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