Mock Trade: Suns Make Bold Move for John Collins
Perhaps it's time for the Phoenix Suns to be bold.
Possessing one of the most talented rosters in the league hasn't quite been enough in recent years besides a trip to the NBA Finals and pacing the entire league in regular season wins.
Phoenix has walked away empty-handed both years, and many believe the time to cash in on their championship window is now.
With the team bringing back Deandre Ayton, their chances of drastically altering their lineup is slim, but options do exist.
In their most recent article going over bold trades for each NBA contender, the Suns go out and grab Atlanta's John Collins.
Suns Grab John Collins in Mock Trade
Phoenix Suns Receive: PF John Collins
Atlanta Hawks Receive: F Cam Johnson, PF Jae Crowder, SG Landry Shamet, 2025 second-round pick
"Simply running back the same roster that collapsed in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals seems like a letdown for Phoenix, which previously was listed as a preferred destination for Kevin Durant," said writer Greg Swartz.
"As good as the Suns still are, upgrading the starting power forward position from Jae Crowder would make this the best starting five in basketball, especially adding a talent like Collins to a core of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton.
"Collins, 24, is under contract for the next four seasons at a reasonable $25.5 million per year and can be a valuable lob option and floor-spacer for this Suns team. He's averaged 18.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks on 55.5/38.8/81.1 percent shooting splits over the past three years in Atlanta.
"As much as Phoenix would like to keep Johnson, he's due for a new contract next summer and is two years older than Collins, despite being in the NBA for just three seasons.
"The Hawks say yes so they can continue to add defensive pieces around Trae Young, with Crowder giving them another versatile forward who can guard multiple spots and hit open threes. Johnson was the NBA's fourth-best three-point shooter last season (42.5 percent) and should thrive on drive-and-kick attempts from Young and Dejounte Murray.
"Shamet gives Atlanta a backcourt shotmaker (39.0 percent on catch-and-shoot threes) after trading Kevin Huerter earlier this summer. The Hawks also pick up another draft selection in 2025, one where they currently only own the Oklahoma City Thunder's second-rounder."
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