NBA Rumors: Surprising Team Linked To John Collins, Myles Turner

Big men John Collins and Myles Turner have had their names linked to a number of contenders looking to make a move to solidify their playoff hopes down the stretch. But it's more than surprising to hear a new report that the cellar-dwelling Houston Rockets have expressed interest in both.

Houston has interest in Myles Turner and John Collins, per @KellyIko

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— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) January 27, 2023

According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the interest in John Collins "is real":

Houston has an abundance of youth, perhaps too much youth, which has left the team unbalanced. Ten players are 22 or younger. 

Conversations [around John Collins] have included the Houston Rockets, league sources told The Athletic, which was later confirmed by team sources... The interest is real.  

Collins would also be a welcome addition to a youthful locker room in need of a veteran voice.

As for Turner, he's set to become a free agent this summer, and while there have been some rumblings of extension talks with the Indiana Pacers, the Rockets are watching the Texas-born product closely:

Houston has interest in the 26-year-old center from Bedford, Texas, but would hesitate to trade for an in-demand player who would command a sizable return of assets now, especially when they could wait until free agency to pursue.

At 11-38, the Rockets are buried, dead-last overall in the NBA, as their youth movement continues to make very slow progress. Even their own veteran teammate, Eric Gordon, who himself is a candidate to be traded, has voiced his displeasure with his immature teammates.  And their former teammate, John Wall, told the likes of Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. that the way they play and conduct themselves wouldn't be tolerated on any other team.

Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports