Trading Places

In my last post about the T-Wolves, I suggested they trade Kevin Love. It was a bit of a throwaway line at the time for a few reasons.

1) It's never going to happen.
2) Who could they trade him for?
3) It's never EVER going to happen.

As mentioned before, I think what the Timberwolves desperately need is veteran leadership, and a good point guard. So let me present, for you, the jury, this trade.

How does Kevin Love for Steve Nash grab you?

(Pausing while your brain reroutes the circuits I just fried.)

(No seriously, it's cool. Take your time.)

Alright, you ready? Here goes. For starters, this trade works from a contract standpoint, as that ESPN trade machine link will tell you, so we can get that out of the way immediately. But more importantly, this trade could be very beneficial for both teams.

For Minnesota, the benefits are obvious. If anyone is capable of turning Anthony Randolph, Michael Beasley, and Wesley Johnson into a formidable trio of players, it's Nash. He hasn't lost a step. He's 37 years old and moving towards the twilight of his career, yet he continues to run the floor with ease and make beautiful no-look passes into spaces that only Rajon Rondo might have seen. He's still a scrawny, skeletal little guy who continues to have to shake his ugly, floppy hair out of his eyes. He's the EXACT same player he was 5 years ago. Kind of freaky. Not only that, but the Timberwolves have an opportunity in this draft to take either Duke point guard Kyrie Irving, or the oft-mentioned name around here at Gym Rat Rants, Kemba Walker. Giving either player an opportunity to develop under Steve Nash for 3-4 years? Priceless. For everything else, there's Mastercard.

For Phoenix? They know that Nash is nearing the end, no matter how good he has been this season. Their midseason trade for Aaron Brooks has given them a legitimate backup point guard who can throw up 20 points on any given night. Although he isn't Nash (and honestly, who is?) Brooks is a potential starter in this league and including Ridnour in the deal includes a legitimate backup for Brooks as well. More importantly, Phoenix gets an annual All Star candidate in Kevin Love, some proven toughness up front, and the best starting front court of white guys with Love and Marcin Gortat since...well...can you think of a better one?

Phoenix might not improve immediately, although it would help them for the future. But couldn't you see this making Minnesota a playoff contender for the next few years? Phoenix was in contention this year, when their best scoring option aside from Nash was Vince Carter. Ugh. I'm pretty sure the T-Wolves could get there as well.

And if Phoenix still isn't willing to make this trade? Throw in the rights to Ricky Rubio. Just get his little saga over with already.