Potential Summer Blockbuster

A note before we begin: This article is based solely on speculation of facts available to the general public and rumors read and heard from other sources. I have no inside information. This is meant to be a fun article that looks at how things could go down. With that said, let's get started.

The Phoenix Suns boast the second best record in the league and have a two-time MVP in Steve Nash. Their supporting cast is full of great three-point shooters and All-Star forwards. They have a bench that is as deep as it gets in the NBA. And get this, they have three first-round draft picks in the upcoming NBA draft, which has been deemed the deepest since LeBron and Wade became instant superstars.

The three picks are:

• Their own pick which will be undoubtedly be a very late selection.
• One of Atlanta's picks from the Joe Johnson trade. Has the potential to be a top-ten choice (if Atlanta gets a top-three pick they get to keep their pick otherwise it is the Sun's.)
• Cleveland's draft pick via Boston from the Rajan Rondo trade. Probably in the early-twenties unless the Cavaliers take a drastic turn.

So what to do with all these picks? For starters, the Suns could very well replenish their bench of talented, young scorers as some of their rising stars are bound to leave. But more creatively, isn't it possible to see them pursuing a big name to add to their offense? Like, say Kevin Garnett? Think about this seriously for a second. Would the Timberwolves really say no to package that includes Shawn Marion, one of the most underrated players in the league who Phoenix has been trying to trade for money reasons, Kurt Thomas, whose contract expires in 2008, and one or two draft picks? The Timberwolves would be getting back an All-Star forward, young talent and cap relief. Meanwhile the Suns would be upgrading an All-Star and change to one of the five best players in the league.

But why would Minnesota even trade KG now after all these years? Because Garnett was quoted as saying "Thank God for opt-outs" in an interview after his team did nothing to improve after the trade deadline. Kevin is referring to his option in the summer of 2008 to opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent. It would appear that at long last, the T-Wolve's longtime superstar wants out, so why not get the most for him this summer? It would be a downright disaster for the Timberwolves to lose their best player in franchise history for nothing.

The only other team with all the pieces (young players, draft picks and salary cap relief) to get Kevin Garnett is the Chicago Bulls. They, however, have shown resistance to giving up their best trading asset, Luol Deng, in a trade for a big man. This snag is the reason why the Bulls were unable to acquire Pau Gasol.

If the Suns don't make it to the NBA Finals again, it is in their interest to make a big move like this. Steve Nash is only going to be able to orchestrate their offense for so long. Needless to say, if Phoenix make the above offer, the Timberwolves would be hard-pressed to get more for their franchise player. But again, this is just one NBA fan's speculation.