Report: Suns want Kevin Love; why that should make Celtics fans very nervous


When I ranked the teams chasing Kevin Love according to their assets awhile back, I ranked the Suns 2nd because of their ridiculous draft pick situation. However, I thought that they'd be looking to pair Love with their two-headed point guard monster comprised of Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic, not deal one of them for Love.

But they may be willing to part ways with one of them, according to Yahoo! Sports' Marc Spears.



If you want Love in Boston, this is bad.

If the Suns are willing to deal Bledsoe (who is a restricted free agent and will need to be signed and traded) plus several first round picks, there really is no way for the Celtics to match that. Jared Sullinger is a good young player and has value, but nowhere near the value Bledsoe (or Dragic) has. I've been relatively unafraid of Houston offering Chandler Parsons, or Golden State offering Klay Thompson just because those teams do not have big time draft picks at their disposal as well (plus I don't view Parsons or Thompson as stars, just very good players). But this is different. Bledsoe has injury issues, but he broke out in a huge way last season in Phoenix, averaging 17.7 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4.6 RPG and 1.6 SPG as he finally got out from underneath Chris Paul's shadow.

And Dragic was even better, averaging 20.3 PPG and 5.9 APG and making All-NBA third team. However, the Wolves may covet Bledsoe's youth (he's 24) and upside over Dragic (who's 28).

While Phoenix is not a major media market, Love would be a 50-minute flight away from LA (and his girlfriend), the weather is great (if you like absurd heat), and the Suns' young roster is a star away from being in great shape. If Love gives an indication that he'd sign long term there, and they offer up Bledsoe/Dragic and several picks, it may be game over for everyone else in the Love sweepstakes.

One thing that could help the Celtics a little bit: Minnesota already has a point guard in Ricky Rubio. But both Bledsoe and Dragic showed the ability to play in a two-PG offense this season, and both can shoot the ball well enough to play SG. So I don't think the Wolves will turn down the offer just because of Rubio's presence.

So if you're a Celtics fan -- be nervous (that is if you want Love). Not only is Phoenix willing to give up one of their stars, but apparently 16 (16!!) teams have called about Love. The bidding war is going to be out of control, so the Cs are going to need to have one hell of an offer ready to win it. With that said, they have the assets to be one of the best offers on the table, and there's no reason to think that they're not one of the favorites.

Going to be a very interesting 17 days before the draft.


RELATED

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 The next big three? How the Celtics could acquire both Kevin Love and Carmelo Anthony

The price of Kevin Love: How many draft picks are too many?

Pictures of Kevin Love in Boston -- tell me he doesn't look like the happiest guy in the world

Rajon Rondo and Kevin Love meet up at Red Sox game
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