Suns Should Be Aggressive Buyers Amid NBA Trade Rumors Involving John Collins, More

While the Phoenix Suns still belong in the NBA's elite tier, they've yet to flex the dominance they consistently showed throughout the past two seasons.

They posted consecutive winning percentages north of .700 in that stretch, including a franchise-record—and Association-best—.780 in 2021-22. This season, though, they're a more mortal .625, although the fact they hold top-10 efficiency rankings on both offense and defense, per NBA.com, suggests they'll be in the championship chase for the long haul.

They could, however, be in the market for roster reinforcements. With Cam Johnson injured, Chris Paul struggling with his shot like never before and Jae Crowder still awaiting his ticket out of town, this front office could reasonably conclude it doesn't have enough on the roster to successfully make a title trek.

The Suns have apparently acknowledged as much, as the latest NBA buzz involves their search for potential upgrades. Let's dig into the rumors, then, and dissect whether it's wise to make a splash on the trade market.

The Rumors

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WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 20: Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball in the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena on November 20, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

With Johnson sidelined and Crowder out of the equation, Phoenix clearly needs some extra help at the forward spots.

That's reportedly right where the Suns have their focus. The Athletic's Shams Charania reported the Suns are "showing desire" in Atlanta Hawks bouncy big man John Collins, though they "appear uninclined" to take on the remainder of his contract.

Phoenix has also "expressed interest" in other forwards, including Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento Kings, Kyle Kuzma of the Washington Wizards and KJ Martin of the Houston Rockets.

Adding an intriguing wrinkle to the Collins angle, though, Charania added the Hawks have been one of the teams "engaged with the Suns on a potential Crowder deal." It would take more than Crowder to pry Collins out of Atlanta, but at least there's a starting point for those negotiations.

The Debates

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PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 1: Cameron Johnson #23 of the Phoenix Suns talks to the media after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 1, 2022 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Suns have two major questions to tackle before heading to the trade market: How much are they allowed to spend, and how much help do they really need? Both inquiries are tricky because of the unknowns.

The trade budget is tricky to pin down given the impending ownership change. Whoever takes control of this franchise presumably doesn't want to inherit an asset shortage. Phoenix is technically allowed to trade multiple first-rounders, but functionally, it might have its hands tied.

As for the level of help needed, that hinges on two things. First is Cam Johnson's upcoming foray into restricted free agency. If the Suns plan on covering any contract within reason, then they might just be in the market for a rotation-quality reserve. If they have a target price in mind that the market could exceed, though, it's possible Phoenix could be on the hunt for a starting swingman.

Second is the club's confidence in Paul's ability to bounce back from a quiet start. He remains an elite floor general, but he's never been less threatening as a scorer. His 9.5 points per game, 36.8 field-goal percentage and 27.3 three-point percentage are all the worst marks of his career. If the Suns don't think he can heat up going forward, they'll need to find a high-level scoring source who can take some pressure off of Devin Booker.

The Verdict

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ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 19: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots a three point basket during the game against the Toronto Raptors on November 19, 2022 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)

If I'm the Suns, I'm aggressively working the phone lines for an impact forward.

More specifically, I'm putting on the full-court press for Collins.

He looks like the cleanest, most impactful fit for this offense. He could work pick-and-roll—or pick-and-pop—magic with both Paul and Booker, and Collins can be an asset in the open floor. He's been a 20-point scorer in the past, and if the Suns don't need nearly that much offense, he can play his role and land comfortably in the mid-teens.

Collins also seems more obtainable than Barnes and Kuzma, who both play for success-starved franchises that have exceeded expectations so far. And again, Atlanta's interest in Crowder should only help grease the gears for a swap. Martin, meanwhile, has only played for the rebuilding Houston Rockets, so asking him to consistently contribute to a championship run might be a little much at this stage of his career.