Valley of the Suns
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Why Phoenix Suns fans should want Toronto to win the NBA Finals

By Kyle Manthe

TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors defend their positions during Game One of the NBA Finals on May 30, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors defend their positions during Game One of the NBA Finals on May 30, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The NBA finals may not include the Phoenix Suns, but that does not mean that we do not need to include the Suns in what outcome fans should want for the end of the 2018-19 season.

When you think of the NBA finals, the last thing that comes to mind right now is the Phoenix Suns.

Phoenix’s season ended long ago, maybe even before it really started, but the potential impact on the Suns’ future that comes from these particular Finals can be huge.

That is because in this Finals there is a strong chance that the best player from both teams could decide to leave this summer – and the dominoes might fall more favorably for the Suns if the Raptors were to win, which is why Phoenix Suns fans should be rooting for victory for The North.

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No matter what happens, it is going to be nearly impossible for Golden State to keep their core four players (not to mention DeMarcus Cousins) this summer, which leaves Toronto as the team with the most to lose or gain in this Finals.

If Toronto manages to win the Finals it would be hard to imagine Kawhi Leonard leaving.

With a loss though, that becomes a more realistic possibility which could lead to trouble for the Suns considering who Leonard’s top targets appear to be.

Leonard in Toronto is the best place for him to be from the Suns’ perspective, out of Conference and most importantly out of Division.

Outside of Toronto the presumed top choice for Leonard is the LA Clippers, another team in Phoenix’s Division. The last thing the young Suns team will need in a few years as they try to make a postseason run is Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry all in their Division on separate teams.

If Toronto is able to win the title and re-sign Leonard it continues to bodes well for the strategy of smaller market teams trading for a disgruntled star player on the last year of his contract and convincing him to stay (obviously beginning with Paul George and Oklahoma City after everyone thought he was a shoe-in to join the Lakers).

With the Suns in their current state low on the list of free-agent destinations, that is a route they might need to explore when the time comes to make another jump, and if Kawhi stays in Canada, history will be on their side to try such a potentially dangerous move.

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Although the Phoenix Suns may not be directly involved in this season’s championship tournament, the impact of the current NBA Finals is so huge that it is important for the future Suns.

Recently Suns fans have not had luck cheering for a successful basketball team, so hopefully the support for the Raptors won’t curse them and Toronto can indirectly help the Suns in Phoenix.

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