The Phoenix Suns are interested in trading Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes, Washington Wizards wing Kyle Kuzma and Houston Rockets forward KJ Martin, according to sources.
Per Shams Charania of the Athletics, the Atlanta Hawks have opened preliminary trade discussions for John Collins. But while Suns GM James Jones has asked about the sixth-year player, the team won’t take on Collins’ hefty salary.
A few NBA betting sites are giving the Suns fifth best odds to win the championship in 2023. Some sportsbooks are showing the highest odds for the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors.
The Suns reported trade interest in John Collins, Kyle Kuzma, Harrison Barnes and KJ Martin. https://t.co/B3gCADzUcQ
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) November 18, 2022
“The Suns are a team that is interested in Collins, those sources added, but they don’t seem interested in taking on the long-term money of Collins, who is in the second year of a five-year, $125 million contract,” Charania said. .
Collins is making $23.5 million this season and will make $25.34 million in 2023-24. Also, the forward has a $26.58 million player option for the 2025-26 season.
The Suns are targeting forwards Harrison Barnes, Kyle Kuzman and KJ Martin for trades.
So more viable options for Phoenix include Barnes, Kuzma and Martin. “In addition, the Suns are interested in forwards such as Sacramento’s Harrison Barnes, Washington’s Kyle Kuzma and Houston’s KJ Martin,” continued Charania, according to league sources.
In 14 starts this season, Barnes averaged 11.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists in Sacramento. He is logging 30.9 minutes per game and shooting 43.9% from the field.
Meanwhile, Kuzma is averaging 18.3 points, 8.1 boards and 3.1 assists per 15 games against the Wizards. He is shooting a career-high true shooting percentage of 55.5%.
The 2020 NBA champion is posting a career-best field goal percentage of 25.3 percent.
In Thursday’s 113-105 win over the Dallas Mavericks, Washington coach Wes Unseld found success using the forward as the team’s primary player. The Suns could use Kuzman’s mid-range shooting.
As for KJ Martin, the Rockets forward averaged 10.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 15 games. Although he only started in three races.
Additionally, the 21-year-old is shooting 52.9% from the floor and 34% from downtown. On October 31, Martin scored a game-high 23 points in the Rockets’ 95–93 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Suns will likely make a trade to improve their forward talent at some point this offseason. Jae Crowder is reportedly part of the trade package. The 10-year veteran hasn’t played since the 2022 Western Conference Finals.
Of course, the NBA trade deadline is February 9, 2023.
