An intriguing 3-team trade proposition featuring the Miami Heat
By Simon Smith
Phoenix Suns outlook
Things were looking up for the Phoenix Suns at the beginning of this season, jumping out of the gates to a 7-4 record. But due to a combination of injuries, suspensions and simply regressing to the mean, the Suns have won just four of their past 18 games, with their 11-18 record placing them 11th in the Western Conference standings.
Under the tutelage of new head coach Monty Williams and led by veteran free agent signing Ricky Rubio, the Suns have jumped from 28th to 10th in the league in offensive rating. However, since their red-hot start, the Suns have dropped back to 17th in offensive rating since Nov. 18, with their 112.3 defensive rating ranked 22nd during this stretch.
While the gradual return of 2018 No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton will certainly help, the Suns nonetheless are in need of a shakeup. While the addition of Rubio has been a positive, extra overall depth is needed to assist Ayton and rising star Devin Booker.
Channing Frye would like to see the #Suns trade for Kevin Love: 'I think Phoenix would be absolutely great for him. I think they need some star power.' https://t.co/d2ULOxC7Oz
— Jeremy Cluff (@Jeremy_Cluff) December 20, 2019
Naturally, with Dec. 15 having passed, speculation has been brewing around the league, with the Suns no exception. One notable piece of news has the Suns making a potential connection with five-time All-Star Kevin Love. While Love’s overall attributes would certainly do no harm to the Suns’ cause, at 31 years of age Love does not quite match the timeline of Booker, Ayton and Co.
Granted, the Suns have not reached the postseason since 2010 and Love would represent a possible short-term solution in that regard. Ideally, acquiring younger players with greater upside would be the move forward for the Suns, should they look to shake up their roster prior to the Feb. 6 deadline.