NBA Rumors: Suns To Pursue Love; Bledsoe Seeking Max Deal?

Mar 23, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) dribbles in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) at Target Center. Phoenix wins 127-120. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Rumors

According to Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports, the Phoenix Suns are interested in trading for Minnesota Timberwolves star forward Kevin Love in exchange for Goran Dragic or Eric Bledsoe, in addition to future draft picks.

Ricky Rubio has been very verbal about how he feels about Love’s future in Minnesota. In a recent interview with nba.com from Italy Sunday morning, Rubio made the following statement:

"“I don’t want to convince him if he doesn’t want to stay. But I want him to stay and I’m going to tell him what I think, which is we’ve been improving every year and he’s a great player, he helps us a lot.I think we need to make the next step. … The media says it’s pretty settled, but I don’t know what he thinks. What I’ve been hearing is from the media, not from him, so I don’t trust that. It can be an opinion from you guys. I just really want to talk to him as a teammate.”"

Honestly, pretty much every team will show some interest in Love, who is one of the best players in the NBA and wants out of Minnesota. Per most reports, Love wants to play for a big market team, not the Phoenix Suns. However, any team that makes a trade for Love may end up coming out empty-handed after the season. Regardless, Love has the final say whether he re-signs with the team that trades for him, or if he tests free agency.

The Suns’ interest in such a deal, without any assurances that he’d stay in Phoenix for the long-haul, is unknown.

Mar 23, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) fouls Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) in the third quarter at Target Center. Phoenix wins 127-120. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Phoenix failed at their attempt in signing guard Eric Bledsoe to an extension before the 2013-14 season began, which is making him a restricted free agent this summer. He  is reportedly seeking a maximum-level contract, and many question whether he is worth it or not. After breaking out as a star in his first full-year as a starter this past season, he’s expecting a huge payday this summer.

Take nothing from him, Bledsoe is a fantastic talent. But he does still have noticeable weaknesses in his game, and it may indicate that he isn’t ready for a max deal as of yet. The biggest concern is his durability issues, which is not what teams want to deal with when it comes to a max-contract caliber player.

This past January, he underwent knee surgery to repair cartilage in his right knee. Despite his shortened-season, he finished this year by averaging 17.7 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game and 5.5 assists per game. Based off his stats from last season and the injury issues, it is clear that Bledsoe is not ready for a max deal. It shouldn’t shock anyone if he gets a great deal based off of his potential and athleticism, but if he receives a max deal it will be a huge gamble for any team.