NBA Rumors: Phoenix Suns interested in Pau Gasol, Luol Deng

The Phoenix Suns were one of the most improved teams in basketball last season, finishing with a record of 48-34 and narrowly missing out on the postseason.

More from NBA

Now that the offseason is here, the Suns will try to improve. They have three first round draft picks – the 14th-overall, 18th-overall and 27th-overall selections. With young talent and those picks, many believe the Suns will try to use those picks to acquire a veteran. They’d love to land Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love, but that seems like a long-shot.

Paul Coro of AZ Central Sports believes the Suns could pursue Los Angeles Lakers’ big man Pau Gasol and Cleveland Cavaliers’ forward Luol Deng, who are both set to become unrestricted free agents.

"No front office can remain undefeated, but 2013’s direction inspires belief for a team facing so many imminent decisions. The Suns own three first-round picks in Thursday’s draft and then head into more major choices next week with the opening of free agency. There are the restricted-free-agency statuses to address with Bledsoe and P.J. Tucker, the Kevin Love trade chase, potential free-agent splashes like Pau Gasol or Luol Deng, whether to pick up Ish Smith’s team option and whether to do something long term for Channing Frye in light of his player option."

The Suns were connected to both Deng and Gasol prior to the trade deadline.

Gasol averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds 3.4 assists and 1.5 blocks per game last season. He shot 48.0% from the field, 28.6% from beyond the arc and 73.6% from the free throw line. Deng averaged 16.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 43.1% from the field, 30.2% from three and 79.1% from the charity stripe.

Home/NBA