NBA Rumors: Suns Eyeing 4 Forwards In Trade Talks


The Phoenix Suns have a need, and the Atlanta Hawks have a tradeable piece. According to Shams Charania in The Athletic, the Hawks have re-opened trade talks on power forward John Collins, and the Suns have engaged in those discussions.

The Suns, of course, are without not only holdout power forward Jae Crowder, but also injured starter Cam Johnson for about two months. 

Collins was on the trade market for most of the past year, but it's only recently, according to Charania, that they've stepped up talks once again. 

The problem in the Phoenix discussions, writes Charania, is that the Suns "appear uninclined to take on the long-term money of Collins, who is in the second season of a five-year, $125 million contract."

If Collins is deemed too pricey, the Suns also have their eyes on Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento KingsWashington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma and the Houston Rockets' KJ Martin, league sources say. 

The Kings are on a 5-game winning streak, and at 8-6, are angling to end their 16-season playoff drought, so dealing Barnes would have to bring back a good return. 

Martin had been said during the offseason to be looking for a move to a team with which he'd have more playing time opportunities, but since the season began, he's been more than happy with his role in Houston, and is now open to a contract extension with the Rockets. 

As for the Suns, unless they can work out a deal soon for Crowder—and we reported on Thursday that a deal does seem close—they will really start to feel the heat of getting an impact forward back into the lineup with Johnson and Crowder currently out of the mix. 

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