Gold Coast has told rival teams the No. 3 pick in November's National Draft is on the table in trade discussions, as it looks to lure an experienced player to the club.
Fox Sports' Tom Morris believes the Suns are prioritising a key forward to partner Ben King.
The struggling Suns -- 4-9 this season -- believe they have secured enough talent through the draft and have begun pursuing players who can provide leadership and guidance for their young core.
High-profile key position forwards coming out of contract at the end of the year include the likes of Sam Weideman, Taylor Walker and Mason Cox -- with Weideman being the most valuable of the trio.
Morris believes Melbourne would "surely not" surrender the 23-year-old for anything less than Gold Coast's first draft selection.
The Suns also hold two high-end second-round picks.
But despite their overarching interest in a key position player, the Suns are also reportedly unopposed to trading the No. 3 pick for a non-key forward.
A name that springs to mind here is the mid-sized Jake Stringer, who is also coming out of contract and in search of a long-term agreement on improved money.
Essendon is hesitant to offer such a contract due to the 27-year-old's injury history and the fact his best football is nearly behind him, leaving an opportunity for the Suns to potentially pounce if a deal can't be done.
Stringer brings three things to the table that the young Suns are in desperate need of: success (a premiership-winner with the Bulldogs in 2016), experience, and the ability to provide match-winning performances such as his four-goal showing in last weekend's tight win against Hawthorn.
With Stuart Dew's coaching credibility beginning to be questioned by media pundits, a strong off-season is looking increasingly crucial for the embattled Suns.
