"Discussions are open" for young Aussie prodigy Roman Siulepa to join the Cairns Taipans as a Next Star, after head coach Adam Forde expressed interest following a report from NBL analyst Peter Hooley on Overtime. 

“We spoke to Roman back in April, May, and then we spoke to him again at the Blitz," Forde said. 

"My stance with Ro has pretty much stayed the same, I like him as a person, I like him as a player. 

"I like Roman, but obviously he's got to be the right fit for everybody...Discussions are open but I don't think I'm breaking down any doors just yet." 

Siulepa is in conversations with NBL clubs to find a home as a Next Star after mutually parting ways with the Tasmania JackJumpers in August. 

Hooley said the likelihood of Siulepa landing at the Taipans is high. 

"There's three teams that are in the hunt for him - the Adelaide 36ers, the Illawarra Hawks, and the Cairns Taipans," Hooley said. 

"The Cairns Taipans want Roman really bad, Adam Forde - he really believes that he can unlock Roman. You think about what he can do on the floor, the type he plays, he is an Adam Forde type player - a two year prospect, what he can build. 

"I think they'd be the front runners. 

"He just seems like the perfect Adam Forde style player, he's [Forde] very keen and they want him."