FanPost

Could Suns benefit as a facilitator if LeBron is making a move?

After CLE was swept by GSW, I think most people that aren't CLE fans will believe that the likelihood of LeBron joining a new team next season has become very real.

After reading numerous articles on his next probable destination, I think there are three teams that stand a realistic chance to sign him this summer, Celtics, 76ers and Rockets.

I listed Rockets last because they are in the western conference and their payroll are too difficult to maneuver if they want to keep Harden and CP3 while signing LeBron. Since they come so close to defeat GSW in the playoff must well let them stick with the current core and make another push next season.

Celtics on the other hand makes most sense because they have a good mix of veterans and young affordable players and they proved to be good enough to beat the 76ers even without the help of Kyrie and Hayward.

Cap wise, they don't have enough space to sign LeBron outright but with a few trades they are capable to create the required room. The simplest way is to convince CLE to do a Sign and Trade of LBJ for Hayward. But the question is will CLE be willing to do that and help their enemy to take their best player from them. Furthermore adding Hayward high cost contract to their current squad may not bring them anywhere while paying tax level monies. And then Kevin Love could just walk away from the mess in a year time.

This could be a time for Ryan McD to call up Ainge and see whether there are any things that he can help, for example, to take over Gordon Hayward $31m contract to create space for the move.

Scenario 1: Gordon Hayward to the Suns

In order to stomach Hayward's contract McD will first need to renounce the rights to expired contracts and RFA and try to bundle TJ Warren and Tyson Chandler or Jared Dudley contracts and find a taker out there without taking back salaries. Rebuilding teams that need young players and don't mind an expiring contract could bite. For example, Brooklyn Nets. They are looking to build a young core around Dangelo Russell.

Boston may ask McD for compensation on their All Star forward but they can't take back any incoming salaries so it can only be in the form of future draft picks. We happen to have all our future picks intact in addition to the bucks and miami picks in the longer run. It boils down to the negotiation skills of McD to determine how high a price we will be paying.

Fit wise, Gordon Haywards is a 6'8" point foward that can shoot threes really well. Folks that are dreaming to pair Ayton with Doncic but can't figure out any realistic possibilities can perhaps settle for this. Suns play three wings in the form of Booker, Hayward and JJ who can all handles the ball and initiate attack with Ayton manning the middle. For the other spot we can go small with a smaller guard we pick at 16 or go big with Bender spotting up at the three point line.

In:Gordon Hayward

Out: TJ Warren, Tyson Chandler, a couple of 2018 second round picks and future first.

Scenario 2: Kyrie Irving to the Suns

In this scenario let's not forget that Kyrie left CLE because he wanted to walk away from LeBron's shadow. Thus BOS reluctantly chose to send Kyrie Irving to Suns instead of Gordon Hayward. The trades required to get this done is more or less the same but since there is a 10m differential in Kyrie and Hayward salary Celtics may want to throw in some filler such as Marcus Morris. How many future picks McD need to give up again depends on McD's skill. Hopefully Kyrie contract market values drop as there are only one year left.

Fit wise, Kyrie will form a terrifying duo in the back court with Booker while we worry about defense later.

In: Kyrie Irving

Out: TJ Warren, Tyson Chandler, a couple of 2018 second rounders and future first.

Scenario 3: Otto Porter to Suns

Why Otto Porter? In this scenario BOS decides to bring Was to the mix and swap Kyrie who wants out and Gordon Hayward together to Washington Wizard for John Wall and Otto Porter.

It makes sense for WAS because Hayward is a better player than Porter overall and their current squad isn't making much breakthrough anyway.

BOS will then need to send Otto Porter to Suns to create space for signing LBJ. In this scenario because of Porter contract is a bit overpriced we could be the team asking for compensation in terms of future first.

Fit wise, Porter is a freaking good three point shooter that can hit at a 44% clip from long range. We will still need a PG thus we probably can't renounce the right to Payton's RFA and may consider to bring him back.

In: Otto Porter plus BOS future first

Out: TJ Warren, Tyson Chandler

Scenario 4: Kevin Love to Suns

Under this scenario BOS decides to find other trade partner and LBJ still join Celtics anyway.

CLE then turn on the fire sale mode and we trade Marquese Chriss, Jared Dudley and a couple of first round picks to CLE

Fit wise, Love is a three point threat and an excellent rebounder and passer. He will form a formidable rebounding duo with Ayton but defense wise, we'll, let's hope Ayton will figure it out sooner than later.

In: Kevin Love

Out: Marquese Chriss, Jared Dudley, a couple of 2018 second rounders and future firsts.

Scenario 5: JJ Reddick to Suns

In this scenario, LBJ decides to move to Philadelphia instead.

As 76ers can sign LBJ straight up there isn't much role for us.

However this could also mean Reddick isn't returning to 76ers and we could potentially bring him here after making some cap room similar to the previous scenarios.

Fit wise, Payton will be running PG, Booker and Reddick at the wings, JJ plays the new Matrix, and Ayton the new STAT. Viola, SSOL is back!

In: JJ Reddick

Out: TJ Warren, Jared Dudley

Does any of the above scenarios appeal to you, and you think is feasible as is, or feasible with a few tweaks?