NBA Trade Rumors 2014: Kevin Love on Trading Block? Phoenix Suns Look to Land All-Star Forward
The Minnesota Timberwolves, faced with the possibility of losing Kevin Love in the summer of 2015, could explore a deal for the big man before the trade deadline, with the assets-loaded Phoenix Suns looking to be an ideal trade partner for the T-Wolves.
Despite their free agency acquisitions this season=-signing Kevin Martin, Corey Brewer and Chase Budinger--the Wolves are hardly a postseason contender, as they continue to have a hard time cracking into the Top 8 in a very competitive Western Conference playoff race.
Love's possible exit from Minnesota was reported several weeks ago by CBS Sports NBA insider Ken Berger, who claimed he was told by an Eastern Conference executive that the All-Star power forward is heading to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015.
"They should trade him," one Eastern Conference executive said via CBS Sports. "No one thinks he's staying. Everyone knows he wants to go to the Lakers."
Love, who is averaging 25.7 points and 13.3 rebounds per game this season, can opt out of the final year of his deal and become an unrestricted free agent in 2015. According to rumors, the Lakers, New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls have expressed their interest in signing the double-double machine.
Missing Piece in Suns' Championship Puzzle
The surging Phoenix Suns entered their 2013-14 campaign with shallow expectations, but the arrival of head coach Jeff Hornacek and Eric Bledsoe, along with the dramatic improvement of point guard Goran Dragic changed the fortunes of the franchise.
Knowing the Western Conference playoff race will be one of tightest ever, the Suns' front office plans to utilize their assets in an attempt to land another All-Star caliber player. The Suns have already engaged talks with the Lakers for Pau Gasol and Memphis Grizzlies for Zach Randolph, but they have been unsuccessful in finalizing a trade.
Suns-Wolves Trade
In an article on NBA Lord, the writer proposed a trade involving the Suns and Wolves. The Suns, who are trying to become a legitimate contender in the West, might pull off a trade for Love.
Phoenix could potentially have four first round picks in this summer's loaded NBA draft. Moreover, they also have some young talents such as Morris twins--Markieff and Marcus--and Alex Len, along with Emeka Okafor's expiring deal. The Suns have the luxury to exhaust all their assets for a shot at acquiring Love's services.
Of course, there's still the possibility that Love could still opt out from his deal. But the Suns are expected to become a serious contender in the coming years, especially if they retain Bledsoe this offseason. Love, who hasn't played a postseason game in his career, could decide to stay put in Phoenix and try to win a championship alongside the Suns' up-and-coming stars.