The NBA Trade Rumors are heating up as the trade deadline nears. One of the biggest names dangled almost the entire season is Kevin Love of Minnesota.

The lone All-Star of the Timberwolves fit the ideal trade candidate. He is talented enough to be desired by other teams and frustrated enough to leave. A talent like Love does not come along with each year's draft. His skill set and high basketball IQ more than make up for his lack of athleticism. Almost any team in the NBA can benefit from a player like him. That's why the idea of Minnesota trading him seemed impossible.

Love found it a pleasant surprise to make it to the All-Star starters. He managed to chase Dwight Howard for the last frontcourt spot. From Portland Tribune: "I was very surprised. I didn't think I was going to be able to make up all those votes on Dwight (Howard). I was very happy when I got the news. How can you not be happy? It's cool to have the fan vote. I think I'd have been voted in by the coaches, but to have the fan vote, that's what you play for."

The Portland Tribune Kerry Eggers reporter did not ask Love about his long term plans, but he gave this observation: "I'll be shocked if Love, the Lake Oswego High grad who will start in the Feb. 16 All-Star Game at New Orleans, remains with the Timberwolves after the trade deadline next season."

One of the possible destinations could be the Phoenix Suns. The Arizona team has stockpiled assets and draft picks, and declared that they will pursue a star. Even Emeka Okafor, the injured center they got for Marcin Gortat is an asset. From Yahoo Sports: "Whoever deals for Okafor before the trade deadline will receive an insurance payout of $5.7 million - roughly $141,000 per game."

The report also adds: "The Suns could control six potential first-round draft picks over the next two years - including four in the 2014 draft. Those picks, coupled with maximum-contract level cap space, could make the Suns a significant factor in free agency and trade discussions.

McDonough has expressed publicly his willingness to explore using his draft picks, young assets and cap space to explore possible deals for All-Star-level players who could become available on the market."

A package of Okafor, Bledsoe and at possibly three first round picks could convince Minnesota to give up Love. It is much better than nothing. There is also a rumor that Love prefers to play for the Lakers, or in Los Angeles. This could only be possible if the Lakers get a Top Five pick in the 2014 draft, and they would still need more assets to pull it off.