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NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Teams That Should Trade For P.J. Tucker

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 17, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) dribbles in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) dribbles in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) goes for the block on Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the fourth quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 115-93. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are undergoing their trial period with new head coach Tyronn Lue at the helm, but Kevin Love has mostly been an uncomfortable fit in Cleveland until the last few weeks. General manager David Griffin has denied the possibility of Cleveland moving Love at the trade deadline, but if the top team in the East continues to go through the motions, they have to at least entertain the idea.

In that situation, the Cavs will have plenty of suitors, since it was only two seasons ago that Love put up a massive 26-12-4 stat line as one of the best power forwards in the league. The Suns have been aggressive and will continue to be aggressive in pursuit of a franchise star, so you can be guaranteed they’d pick up the phone with some type of Godfather offer if Love is on the table.

Related Story: NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Landing Spots For Kevin Love

Fortunately for the Suns, they join the Celtics as one of the few teams in the NBA that could put together a trade package that keeps the Cavaliers competitive for the short-term AND helps them out for the long-term in the form of future draft picks.

Markieff Morris is a player the Cavs could put on the floor in a small-ball series with the Warriors being that he’s a superior defender compared to Love. Tucker would provide his 3-and-D support from the wing, while Teletovic would help space the floor in the way that Love did.

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The Cavs would be giving up the best player in this deal, but they’d also be getting back three quality role players, two of which would lend defense and two of which would lend three-point shooting. Perhaps when it comes to Cleveland trying to beat the Warriors or Spurs in a seven-game series less (depth and better fit) would be more (Love’s star skill set).

The Suns would be getting their franchise player, a stretch-4 who would bring rebounding, passing and perimeter shooting to a team that could use the boost in all three areas. Backup guard Jared Cunningham would be included to balance out the number of players being exchanged.

Unfortunately, the Cavaliers probably won’t look to trade Love at the deadline since he’s been featured more prominently under Lue, and even if he hadn’t been putting up better numbers under the new head coach, Cleveland would probably give Lue more than a few weeks to figure out how to use the team’s star power forward.

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