PHOENIX SUNS

ESPN’s Pelton: Suns adding Jones may open door for future LeBron meeting

Jul 21, 2017, 7:09 AM | Updated: 7:49 pm

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)...

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

LISTEN: Kevin Pelton, ESPN NBA Analyst

Rumors.

Phoenix Suns fans are buying into them right now, especially when they involve a future marriage of LeBron James and their team.

The wild ideas have been spurned on by the Suns’ acquisition of James Jones — one of James’ longtime friends and teammates — into their basketball operations department.

ESPN NBA Insider Kevin Pelton sells on the idea of James ever finding his way into a Suns uniform though, but does believe they might be in contention to get some face time if the 32-year-old decides to move on from Cleveland.

“I think that could be enough to get you a meeting, to get you in the door and that’s something that sometimes validates a young team as a free agent destination,” Pelton told Burns & Gambo on 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sports Station. “I recall LeBron’s first free agency in the summer of 2010, it was a huge milestone for the Clippers to get a meeting with him because that was something they had never ever done before in the existence of the franchise. Obviously Phoenix has done it before, they were close to signing LaMarcus Aldridge just a few years ago when he was the top free agent in the market.”

Besides Jones, the Suns have been linked as a possible future destination for James because of his friendship with guard Eric Bledsoe. The two also share the same agent in Rich Paul.

The up-and-coming Suns looked, at least initially, into making a big free agent splash earlier in the offseason. They ultimately decided to go “all-in” on their youth.

Who knows where the team will be a year from now, but most figure they will be in a better spot based off of pure development.

With hints of doubt creeping in on James’ loyalty to the Cavaliers and a better team in the Valley down the road, maybe the Suns will have a shot at him in the future.

Pelton thinks the only time it may happen will much further down the line.

“In terms of LeBron actually coming there, unless it was the only way to get a Banana Boat-type team together with LeBron and Chris Paul, I mean, I think that’s the only scenario where he’s not going to go to a team that’s really not competitive right now, or go to L.A., basically,” Pelton said.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns shoots against Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolve...

Kellan Olson

Suns unravel in usual fashion, T-Wolves take commanding 2-0 lead

The Phoenix Suns have made a habit this year of spiraling through self-inflicted mistakes and that continued in a Game 2 loss.

9 hours ago

Mike Conley plays to the T-Wolves crowd in a Game 2 win against the Suns...

Dan Bickley

Suns look more ready for offseason than playoff run after Game 2 loss to T-Wolves

The best three players in the Suns' Game 2 loss were all Timberwolves. Phoenix seems ready for a long offseason more than a playoff run.

10 hours ago

Grayson Allen of the Phoenix Suns...

Arizona Sports

Grayson Allen reinjures ankle vs. Timberwolves in Game 2

Grayson Allen reinjured an ankle sprain in Game 2 of Phoenix Suns' matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

12 hours ago

Kevin Durant in Game 2 of Suns-Timberwolves...

Kevin Zimmerman

Suns fall down 0-2 to T-Wolves with familiar turnover issues looming in series

The Phoenix Suns' defense overcame a turnover-filled start in Game 2 to draw nearly even against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

13 hours ago

Tyrese Maxey wins 2023-24 Most Improved Player award....

Associated Press

76ers’ Tyrese Maxey wins 2023-24 Most Improved Player award, Grayson Allen receives votes

Philadelphia 76ers' Tyrese Maxey wins 2023-24 Most Improved Player. Phoenix Suns' Grayson Allen received votes.

14 hours ago

Grayson Allen, Phoenix Suns guard...

Arizona Sports

Grayson Allen will play despite injured ankle in Game 2 of Suns-Timberwolves

Grayson Allen will play Tuesday in Game 2 of his Phoenix Suns' first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

15 hours ago

ESPN’s Pelton: Suns adding Jones may open door for future LeBron meeting