The Ringer published an article postulating where fresh-on-the-trading-block Kevin Love might end up and mentioned the Phoenix Suns as a top contender.
When Adrian Wojnarowski first confirmed the Cleveland Cavaliers were open to trading their 5-time All Star, Kevin Love, everyone, including the Phoenix Suns, pontificated on the possibility of adding Love to their roster.
Thus far, possible trade scenarios have been limited to lowly bloggers hypothesizing about whether the Suns should or should not make an offer for Love, but the theories turned national when Paolo Uggetti of the Ringer threw Phoenix out as a possible landing spot.
Uggetti claims Portland would be Love’s preferred destination, considering it is his hometown, but quickly noted Denver and Phoenix as close contenders.
An excerpt:
"Phoenix: It could utilize Love next to Deandre Ayton or Aron Baynes, or without either of the centers. Both Devin Booker and Ricky Rubio would benefit from Love’s shooting, which is a huge upgrade over the team’s current floor-spacing big, Frank Kaminsky. The Suns could build an appealing trade package using some combination of their expiring contracts (Kaminsky and Tyler Johnson), young players (Dario Saric and Cam Johnson), and all of their future first-round picks. The Suns are the league’s biggest surprise team; now will they do everything possible to make the playoffs?"
Most of this has been beaten like a dead horse in terms of trade bait the Suns have. Tyler Johnson’s contract is the only real way to make the trade work money-wise assuming the Suns don’t want to give up a core part of the team’s nucleus, so it is just a matter of what other combination of expiring contracts, young players, and draft picks would make it worth the Cavs’ wild.
However, his last sentence is the question James Jones and the front office have to ask themselves. Now that the Phoenix Suns are a bubble team, do they make a strong play towards the playoffs? Or do they see the Los Angeles Lakers domination as disincentive to make a push, and be content with finishing 9th, 10th, or 11th in the Western Conference? Is that a large enough step forward to consider this a successful season?
So, alas, the great Kevin Love debate rages on, and likely won’t be over until either the Cavs make a trade or the trade deadline passes.
Grab some popcorn, this one won’t end soon.