Bledsoe and Suns reach 5 year, $70 million deal

[jolbin]

I am dissapointed by PHXs front office.. This deal could set back the franchise for quite some years.. Those knees and the consequences of the injuries cant be trusted..
I hope they view him as an asset (we know how well that gone for Morey) and trade him when given a not-bad deal.. one can hope...

Same medical staff that brought Stoudemire back healthy and pulled the plug on an extension when they felt his knees wouldn't hold up. I'm going to take their professional opinion.

yea as i said i hope the front office listened to them....

[Shem]

They would make it happen ASAP because he has no issues with injuries.

Yet, they made it happen anyway. Just drug it out, but eventually they gave in. Should thank the Wolves.

You keep talking like on a talent level Lillard is way beyond Bledsoe you need to come down to earth the numbers are in front of you. Lillard has slightly better numbers but also doesn't compensate the defense Bledsoe brings.

Numbers only tell part of the equation. But if you have a black & white personality, then that's all you think you need. There's leadership, there's drive, there's the "IT" factor. Lillard's a gamer who likes to rise to the occasion. That's not Bledsoe.

Numbers don't show these types of results:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy6JeptPOJ8[/youtube]

They both are the same age by the way and you could say bledsoe is just getting started because he's actually only been a starter for one year... He backed up CP3

What about his rookie year before CP3 got there? Seriously man, you're only giving Bledsoe love because he plays for your team. People who are neutral in this go with Lillard. There's a reason for this.

[Shem]

There was no pressure by the Wolves. You mean that report that said they offered him a max contract, when it was financially impossible for them to do so????? That report was BS. They couldnt offer him a max deal.

Are you seriously going to play that card? Okay, then it's obvious you were in the dark about it, which is surprising, especially since you're a Suns fan. So let me spell it out for you. The Wolves wanted to offer a max contract to Bledsoe.... now hear me out because this is the part you missed, especially since you failed to acknowledge it... by trying to negotiate a sign-and-trade. It was news all over here. Sorry you missed it! I thought vacation time was over since it's fall and training camp is about to open!

Then shortly afterwards, the Suns finally give Bledsoe what he and his agent held out for. Funny how that happened. But at least you aren't in the dark about it anymore. It should give you something to ponder about. If you doubt it, just Google Bledsoe and Wolves and you'll see.

The reports that came out said the Wolveds DID offer Bledsoe a max contract, which was a lie. The Wolves WANTED to offer a max contact, but couldnt. They approached our FO with some lame S&T with them dumping contacts on us and we said no. And how did we give Bledsoe what he and his agent wanted. They held out all summer from talking to us and told us it was either a max contact or they would take the QO. Did he get the 5/$84M max contract that they were holding out for? No. We ended up paying him an extra $2M per year than our opening offer.

No need for you to get all snippy. I can understand that you have been misinformed.

No, you're not in reality here. What the Wolves did was just what another team would eventually do. It opened the Suns' eyes about Bledsoe and that is someone is crazy enough to offer that contract to him. So either they give into his demands if they want to keep him, or let him walk next summer after taking the qualifying offer (and yes Bledsoe would have eventually done it so he could play this year) and then be an UFA next summer where the Suns had no leverage.

Paul had been threatening to have his client sign a $3.7 million qualifying offer that would allow Bledsoe to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--e ... 34004.html

From Adrian Wojnarowski. So unless you are crazy enough to say he has no credibility, you lost this argument.

Again, the Wolves made it happen. It's no coincidence that Bledsoe got his contract from the Suns AFTER the Wolves tried to make a deal. So they're responsible for this. So I'm right. Thank you very much!

[Shem]

Are you seriously going to play that card? Okay, then it's obvious you were in the dark about it, which is surprising, especially since you're a Suns fan. So let me spell it out for you. The Wolves wanted to offer a max contract to Bledsoe.... now hear me out because this is the part you missed, especially since you failed to acknowledge it... by trying to negotiate a sign-and-trade. It was news all over here. Sorry you missed it! I thought vacation time was over since it's fall and training camp is about to open!

Then shortly afterwards, the Suns finally give Bledsoe what he and his agent held out for. Funny how that happened. But at least you aren't in the dark about it anymore. It should give you something to ponder about. If you doubt it, just Google Bledsoe and Wolves and you'll see.

What card? You mean the card where one team with no cap space say they would offer Bledsoe a max offer? Is that news now? All 29 teams would offer rubbish for Lebron on max deal as well, that isn't exactly a revelation.

Also, let's be clear now, the Suns have offered Bledsoe's team a seat on the table since April and we were ready to negotiate. A few days before training camp starts, Bledsoe and his team finally came to the negotiating table not the other way around. Let's not act like the Suns were in panic mode from non-news.

Wow, lots of people replying to me with all sorts of... well... whatever.

Here's the real facts:

Bledsoe had rejected the club's four-year, $48 million offer it made earlier this summer, looking for a max deal. Phoenix rejected that notion out of hand, starting a staredown that lasted most of the summer and threatened to carry over into the start of training camp this weekend. But the club moved off its $12 million per year stance and now will pay Bledsoe $14 million annually through 2019

http://www.nba.com/2014/news/features/d ... index.html

Now let's revisit what you said:

the Suns have offered Bledsoe's team a seat on the table since April and we were ready to negotiate. A few days before training camp starts, Bledsoe and his team finally came to the negotiating table not the other way around.

See the contradiction? Bledsoe said either more money or no deal. Phoenix finally gave in. So either you got inside information that David Aldridge doesn't have here, or you're just misinformed. Sorry pal. Now it's your turn to make it appear that what you originally said wasn't really what you said and how it's a misunderstanding.

[lilfishi22]

No, you're not in reality here. What the Wolves did was just what another team would eventually do. It opened the Suns' eyes about Bledsoe and that is someone is crazy enough to offer that contract to him. So either they give into his demands if they want to keep him, or let him walk next summer after taking the qualifying offer (and yes Bledsoe would have eventually done it so he could play this year) and then be an UFA next summer where the Suns had no leverage. Again, the Wolves made it happen. It's no coincidence that Bledsoe got his contract from the Suns [b]AFTER the Wolves tried to make a deal.[/b] So they're responsible for this. So I'm right. Thank you very much!

That's conjecture. The narrative could have easily been the Suns (and the rest of the NBA) are about to head into training camp and our offer is still on the table ready to discussed and the only way he could play (and earn a max deal if he walked after next season) is to either sign a new deal or sign the QO. He saw that nothing else was going to get done because no one could make moves to offer him the max so he was left with either risking his knees for the QO or for a long term deal we settled on. Has nothing to do with the Wolves.

We settled on somewhere in between.

[Shem]

There was no pressure by the Wolves. You mean that report that said they offered him a max contract, when it was financially impossible for them to do so????? That report was BS. They couldnt offer him a max deal.

Are you seriously going to play that card? Okay, then it's obvious you were in the dark about it, which is surprising, especially since you're a Suns fan. So let me spell it out for you. The Wolves wanted to offer a max contract to Bledsoe.... now hear me out because this is the part you missed, especially since you failed to acknowledge it... by trying to negotiate a sign-and-trade. It was news all over here. Sorry you missed it! I thought vacation time was over since it's fall and training camp is about to open!

Then shortly afterwards, the Suns finally give Bledsoe what he and his agent held out for. Funny how that happened. But at least you aren't in the dark about it anymore. It should give you something to ponder about. If you doubt it, just Google Bledsoe and Wolves and you'll see.

It's your choice what you do about it but you are far less informed than you think you are.

Read my other replies I've made earlier. I've use sources to back up what I've said. Can you do the same to show me how I'm misinformed. BTW, I used David Aldridge and Adrian Wojnarowski. Good luck.

[Shem]

No, you're not in reality here. What the Wolves did was just what another team would eventually do. It opened the Suns' eyes about Bledsoe and that is someone is crazy enough to offer that contract to him. So either they give into his demands if they want to keep him, or let him walk next summer after taking the qualifying offer (and yes Bledsoe would have eventually done it so he could play this year) and then be an UFA next summer where the Suns had no leverage. Again, the Wolves made it happen. It's no coincidence that Bledsoe got his contract from the Suns [b]AFTER the Wolves tried to make a deal.[/b] So they're responsible for this. So I'm right. Thank you very much!

That's conjecture. The narrative could have easily been the Suns (and the rest of the NBA) are about to head into training camp and our offer is still on the table ready to discussed and the only way he could play (and earn a max deal if he walked after next season) is to either sign a new deal or sign the QO. He saw that nothing else was going to get done because no one could make moves to offer him the max so he was left with either risking his knees for the QO or for a long term deal we settled on. Has nothing to do with the Wolves.

We settled on somewhere in between.

Or we can go by what Adrian Wojnarowski said:

Paul had been threatening to have his client sign a $3.7 million qualifying offer that would allow Bledsoe to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--e ... 34004.html

Bledsoe was playing this year with either a new multi-year contract, or playing on the qualifying offer. The Suns lost leverage when they saw another interested party. It's no coincidence, especially next summer when Bledsoe is a UFA while the Suns burned that bridge for good and they lose him for nothing.

[lilfishi22]

Wow, lots of people replying to me with all sorts of... well... whatever.

Here's the real facts:

Bledsoe had rejected the club's four-year, $48 million offer it made earlier this summer, looking for a max deal. Phoenix rejected that notion out of hand, starting a staredown that lasted most of the summer and threatened to carry over into the start of training camp this weekend. But the club moved off its $12 million per year stance and now will pay Bledsoe $14 million annually through 2019

http://www.nba.com/2014/news/features/d ... index.html

Now let's revisit what you said:

the Suns have offered Bledsoe's team a seat on the table since April and we were ready to negotiate. A few days before training camp starts, Bledsoe and his team finally came to the negotiating table not the other way around.

See the contradiction? Bledsoe said either more money or no deal. Phoenix finally gave in. So either you got inside information that David Aldridge doesn't have here, or you're just misinformed. Sorry pal. Now it's your turn to make it appear that what you originally said wasn't really what you said and how it's a misunderstanding.

http://arizonasports.com/41/1755373/Owner-Robert-Sarver-Phoenix-Suns-not-trying-to-lowball-RFA-Eric-Bledsoe

"We think we gave him a fair offer, and (we would) be more than happy to sit down with him and continue to negotiate it. We're happy to do that," he said.

That's from Sarver in August.

Another interview from August

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24657845/suns-owner-robert-sarver-we-havent-heard-from-bledsoe-in-4-months

Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver has already publicly said that he thinks his team's four-year, $48 million offer to restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe is "fair." Now, he's claiming that he's open to negotiating with him and agent Rich Paul, but they don't want to talk, via the Arizona Republic's Paul Coro:

"We value Eric as a player," Sarver said. "I hope at some point we'll be able to sit down and meet with those guys and make a deal."

A Comcast SportsNet Northwest report quoted a source who said the Suns' relationship with Bledsoe "is on the express lane to being ruined."

The table has always been open for Bledsoe and his team to come and negotiate. A few days out from training camp, he finally came to the table and got it done.

[Kerrsed]

Again, the Wolves made it happen. It's no coincidence that Bledsoe got his contract from the Suns AFTER the Wolves tried to make a deal. So they're responsible for this. So I'm right. Thank you very much!

Its no coincidence that we were'nt willing to give him the max that kept him and his agent away from negotiating with us all season and the timeline for his empty threat of taking the QO was running real thin (days).

[Shem]

Wow, lots of people replying to me with all sorts of... well... whatever.

Here's the real facts:

Bledsoe had rejected the club's four-year, $48 million offer it made earlier this summer, looking for a max deal. Phoenix rejected that notion out of hand, starting a staredown that lasted most of the summer and threatened to carry over into the start of training camp this weekend. But the club moved off its $12 million per year stance and now will pay Bledsoe $14 million annually through 2019

http://www.nba.com/2014/news/features/d ... index.html

Now let's revisit what you said:

the Suns have offered Bledsoe's team a seat on the table since April and we were ready to negotiate. A few days before training camp starts, Bledsoe and his team finally came to the negotiating table not the other way around.

See the contradiction? Bledsoe said either more money or no deal. Phoenix finally gave in. So either you got inside information that David Aldridge doesn't have here, or you're just misinformed. Sorry pal. Now it's your turn to make it appear that what you originally said wasn't really what you said and how it's a misunderstanding.

http://arizonasports.com/41/1755373/Owner-Robert-Sarver-Phoenix-Suns-not-trying-to-lowball-RFA-Eric-Bledsoe

"We think we gave him a fair offer, and (we would) be more than happy to sit down with him and continue to negotiate it. We're happy to do that," he said.

That's from Sarver in August.

Another interview from August

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24657845/suns-owner-robert-sarver-we-havent-heard-from-bledsoe-in-4-months

Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver has already publicly said that he thinks his team's four-year, $48 million offer to restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe is "fair." Now, he's claiming that he's open to negotiating with him and agent Rich Paul, but they don't want to talk, via the Arizona Republic's Paul Coro:

"We value Eric as a player," Sarver said. "I hope at some point we'll be able to sit down and meet with those guys and make a deal."

A Comcast SportsNet Northwest report quoted a source who said the Suns' relationship with Bledsoe "is on the express lane to being ruined."

The table has always been open for Bledsoe and his team to come and negotiate. A few days out from training camp, he finally came to the table and got it done.

Oh, so if what Sarver is saying is correct, you believe is something like this happened:

Robert Sarver = (RS)
Eric Bledsoe = (EB)

RS - "We'll give you 4 years and $48 million."

EB - "No."

RS - "It's a fair deal."

EB - "No."

RS - "Well, come back if you want to negotiate for more money and years."

EB - "No, you had your chance. I don't want more money or years from you."

months later...

EB - "I want that max contract now. Sorry I held out, but basketball season is here and I don't want to miss the season."

RS - "All you had to do is ask. See, I told our table was open to negotiate. Here's your 5 years and $70 million."


Are you seriously going to think that people are going to buy this... well, besides you???

[Shem]

Again, the Wolves made it happen. It's no coincidence that Bledsoe got his contract from the Suns AFTER the Wolves tried to make a deal. So they're responsible for this. So I'm right. Thank you very much!

Its no coincidence that we were'nt willing to give him the max that kept him and his agent away from negotiating with us all season and the timeline for his empty threat of taking the QO was running real thin (days).

Are you saying that Bledsoe finally caved to take the max contract that he was holding out to take? Seriously?

[Kerrsed]

Again, the Wolves made it happen. It's no coincidence that Bledsoe got his contract from the Suns AFTER the Wolves tried to make a deal. So they're responsible for this. So I'm right. Thank you very much!

Its no coincidence that we were'nt willing to give him the max that kept him and his agent away from negotiating with us all season and the timeline for his empty threat of taking the QO was running real thin (days).

Are you saying that Bledsoe finally caved to take the max contract that he was holding out to take? Seriously?

How do you not comprehend that he DIDNT GET THE MAX CONTRACT that he was holding out for?

The max contract he was holding out for was 5 YEARS $84 MILLION!!!!!

We ended up giving him 5 YEARS $70 MILLION !!!!!!!

I MEAN SERIOUSLY????? Can you not read???

Thats a $14M difference if you cant do math either.

[d-train]

Its no coincidence that ...the timeline for his empty threat of taking the QO was running real thin (days).

The deadline for accepting the QO was no empty threat. Had Suns not improved their offer, Bledsoe would have had to take the QO. That is the only path the CBA gives Bledsoe out of Phoenix. The deadline urgency was for Suns to make a decent enough offer that would make the QO (and Bledsoe basically skipping a season) a less attractive option.

There has been a lot of unrealistic nonsense bandied about. The worst was the notion that it was a good option for Suns to force Bledsoe into signing the QO and he would have to play for $3.7M, which would be a wonderful thing for Suns. Had Bledsoe signed the QO it would have been accompanied by a trade demand and an announcement that his big toe and pinky finger are sore and he can't play. Bledsoe would then sit out the year and no other NBA team would have held it against him when the UFA bidding would start next summer.

The NBA is a player’s league for quality players like Bledsoe. The CBA is the only bargaining leverage teams have against the best players. Bledsoe's bargaining leverage is his talent and that's not going to change between now and next July.

[d-train]

How do you not comprehend that he DIDNT GET THE MAX CONTRACT that he was holding out for?

...

I MEAN SERIOUSLY????? Can you not read???

If you knew Shem, you wouldn't ask.

[Shem]

Its no coincidence that we were'nt willing to give him the max that kept him and his agent away from negotiating with us all season and the timeline for his empty threat of taking the QO was running real thin (days).

Are you saying that Bledsoe finally caved to take the max contract that he was holding out to take? Seriously?

How do you not comprehend that he DIDNT GET THE MAX CONTRACT that he was holding out for?

The max contract he was holding out for was 5 YEARS $84 MILLION!!!!!

We ended up giving him 5 YEARS $70 MILLION !!!!!!!

I MEAN SERIOUSLY????? Can you not read???

Thats a $14M difference if you cant do math either.

No, no, no, no... that's what I was arguing. Read some of my other replies. Here is some of my earlier posts acknowledging what you just claimed I didn't know

This one was two posts above your reply:

viewtopic.php?p=41165084#p41165084

And this one:

viewtopic.php?p=41162444#p41162444

Not only did you not read my other posts, you insult me (saying I can't read is an personal insult) in the process and you're a moderator on top of it. You're getting reported. I know most likely nothing will happen, but if you have done it now, you've probably done it before. And if someone has reported you before, then maybe something will happen. If not, then look out the next time you decide to pop off and someone like me reports you. They'll keep logs as you know they do.

With that said, my argument has been the whole time here with up to 5 different users is that the Suns didn't give Bledsoe what he wanted at first and later caved when the Wolves tried to get him. Again, all five (including you) were trying to say I was wrong. Seriously, what is your problem? I have never said anything that you have claimed. You seriously need to stick with the facts instead of trying to twist them when you're proven wrong and I proved you wrong. Really, you got some issues. I know the water taste bad down there in Phoenix (I know, I lived there at one point for 12 years). Here's hint. Get a water filter as it's not good for you.

[Shem]

How do you not comprehend that he DIDNT GET THE MAX CONTRACT that he was holding out for?

...

I MEAN SERIOUSLY????? Can you not read???

If you knew Shem, you wouldn't ask.

This coming from someone who has no credibility among fellow Blazer fans on the Blazer board. All anyone has to do is ask other Blazers fans here at RealGM.

[aIvin adams]

Are you saying that Bledsoe finally caved to take the max contract that he was holding out to take? Seriously?

How do you not comprehend that he DIDNT GET THE MAX CONTRACT that he was holding out for?

The max contract he was holding out for was 5 YEARS $84 MILLION!!!!!

We ended up giving him 5 YEARS $70 MILLION !!!!!!!

I MEAN SERIOUSLY????? Can you not read???

Thats a $14M difference if you cant do math either.

No, no, no, no... that's what I was arguing. Read some of my other replies. And you insult me (saying I can't read is an personal insult) in the process and you're a moderator on top of it. You're getting reported. I know most likely nothing will happen, but if you have done it now, you've probably done it before. And if someone has reported you before, then maybe something will happen. If not, then look out the next time you decide to pop off and someone like me reports you. They'll keep logs as you know they do.

With that said, my argument has been the whole time here with up to 5 different users is that the Suns didn't give Bledsoe what he wanted at first and later caved when the Wolves tried to get him. Again, all five (including you) were trying to say I was wrong. Seriously, what is your problem? I have never said anything that you have claimed. You seriously need to stick with the facts instead of trying to twist them when you're proven wrong and I proved you wrong. Really, you got some issues. I know the water taste bad down there in Phoenix (I know, I lived there at one point for 12 years). Here's hint. Get a water filter as it's not good for you.

uh.

i thought you just said that Bledsoe got the max he had been demanding, mang. the max he said he wanted 'or else' he would take the QO.

thats what it seemed like you were saying. but. anyway. sometimes a lot of meaning gets lost without the facial cues and voice inflection, so..

[d-train]

If you knew Shem, you wouldn't ask.

This coming from someone who has no credibility among fellow Blazer fans on the Blazer board. All anyone has to do is ask other Blazers fans here at RealGM.

Thank you Shem, I don't want credibility among folks such as you, which is a minority of Blazers fans.

[tribulations]

Personally I really like EB. If he can stay healthy anywhere it's going to be the valley of the sun.

Slight overpay and 1 year too long but they retained an asset who can still trade down the line while staying deep at the guard spot.

[MilotheSlayer]

They would make it happen ASAP because he has no issues with injuries.

Yet, they made it happen anyway. Just drug it out, but eventually they gave in. Should thank the Wolves.

You keep talking like on a talent level Lillard is way beyond Bledsoe you need to come down to earth the numbers are in front of you. Lillard has slightly better numbers but also doesn't compensate the defense Bledsoe brings.

Numbers only tell part of the equation. But if you have a black & white personality, then that's all you think you need. There's leadership, there's drive, there's the "IT" factor. Lillard's a gamer who likes to rise to the occasion. That's not Bledsoe.

Comparing their 'clutch time' statistics might surprise you. Their offensive ratings are identical at 108.6 and Bledsoe blows Lillard out of the water on the defensive end. Lillard's Blazers also have a losing record during the clutch time at 22-23 while phoenix was 15-8. Yes Lillard has hit more big shots but Bledsoe hasn't necessarily had to.
http://www.82games.com/1213/12POR1.HTM Lillard
http://www.82games.com/1314/13PHO2.HTM Bledsoe

Saying Lillard has had a better career so far is true. But saying that him and EB aren't close talent wise is atrocious. While Lillard takes the cake from 3 and assists, Bledsoe is the superior when it comes to driving the lane and anything on defense.