[Wojnarowski]: MPJ gets the max

[tiderulz]

Of course talks on the Suns forum are his contract and Bridges pending one. I said I'd rather have Bridges but then get rebuttals that Porter is on another tier.

I know Porter was originally the top prospect in the Luka, Trae, Ayton class and compared to KD, so he has enormous upside, but off one really good season, I am a bit surprised he got the max.

Bridges was 8 pts 4 rebs his first 2 years. this year as 4th fiddle he put up 13 ppg. you could objectively say he has only had 1 good season too.

[bwgood77]

Of course talks on the Suns forum are his contract and Bridges pending one. I said I'd rather have Bridges but then get rebuttals that Porter is on another tier.

I know Porter was originally the top prospect in the Luka, Trae, Ayton class and compared to KD, so he has enormous upside, but off one really good season, I am a bit surprised he got the max.

Bridges was 8 pts 4 rebs his first 2 years. this year as 4th fiddle he put up 13 ppg. you could objectively say he has only had 1 good season too.

I guess it depends on how you look at it. He's always been a solid defender and finisher and most of last season after a bad start was an elite 3 pt shooter.

He should get more shots but he is an elite finisher at the rim at over 79% (for example, Ayton who is pretty elite is 77%). Then he is among the best 3 pt shooters and wing defenders. And he started creating his own shot.

If he wasn't a 4th option he could easily be close to a 20 ppg scorer on elite efficiency. He had a near 67% TS%.

Even last year despite not scoring much he was at a 62% TS%.

And the Suns were a bad team before inserting him into the starting lineup last year and when they did they suddenly became one of the best starting lineups with like a +25 net rating.

[jayu70]

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[Colbinii]

Of course talks on the Suns forum are his contract and Bridges pending one. I said I'd rather have Bridges but then get rebuttals that Porter is on another tier.

I know Porter was originally the top prospect in the Luka, Trae, Ayton class and compared to KD, so he has enormous upside, but off one really good season, I am a bit surprised he got the max.

Bridges was 8 pts 4 rebs his first 2 years. this year as 4th fiddle he put up 13 ppg. you could objectively say he has only had 1 good season too.

I guess it depends on how you look at it. He's always been a solid defender and finisher and most of last season after a bad start was an elite 3 pt shooter.

He should get more shots but he is an elite finisher at the rim at over 79% (for example, Ayton who is pretty elite is 77%). Then he is among the best 3 pt shooters and wing defenders. And he started creating his own shot.

If he wasn't a 4th option he could easily be close to a 20 ppg scorer on elite efficiency. He had a near 67% TS%.

Even last year despite not scoring much he was at a 62% TS%.

And the Suns were a bad team before inserting him into the starting lineup last year and when they did they suddenly became one of the best starting lineups with like a +25 net rating.

I think part of where MPJ's contract is weighed is his ceiling is significantly higher than Bridges.

MPJ has a ceiling of being a top-10 player and even though Bridges could project as being better next year [and a better two-way player], the ceiling of MPJ, combined by his already elite ability to score the ball on all-3 levels at an outrageous level [both in terms of efficiency and difficulty--it is MPJ, not Bridges, who is taking the difficult-to-make-shots within an offensive system] simply means MPJ is worth the max.

Is Bridges worth the Max? Well, if you think he can take on a larger load offensively, including taking on a load of shots that are above his typical degree-of-difficulty, then yeah, Bridges could be commanding $150 Million+.

[bwgood77]

Bridges was 8 pts 4 rebs his first 2 years. this year as 4th fiddle he put up 13 ppg. you could objectively say he has only had 1 good season too.

I guess it depends on how you look at it. He's always been a solid defender and finisher and most of last season after a bad start was an elite 3 pt shooter.

He should get more shots but he is an elite finisher at the rim at over 79% (for example, Ayton who is pretty elite is 77%). Then he is among the best 3 pt shooters and wing defenders. And he started creating his own shot.

If he wasn't a 4th option he could easily be close to a 20 ppg scorer on elite efficiency. He had a near 67% TS%.

Even last year despite not scoring much he was at a 62% TS%.

And the Suns were a bad team before inserting him into the starting lineup last year and when they did they suddenly became one of the best starting lineups with like a +25 net rating.

I think part of where MPJ's contract is weighed is his ceiling is significantly higher than Bridges.

MPJ has a ceiling of being a top-10 player and even though Bridges could project as being better next year [and a better two-way player], the ceiling of MPJ, combined by his already elite ability to score the ball on all-3 levels at an outrageous level [both in terms of efficiency and difficulty--it is MPJ, not Bridges, who is taking the difficult-to-make-shots within an offensive system] simply means MPJ is worth the max.

Is Bridges worth the Max? Well, if you think he can take on a larger load offensively, including taking on a load of shots that are above his typical degree-of-difficulty, then yeah, Bridges could be commanding $150 Million+.

For the record I figured Bridges would get something like 4/$95, but would be fine going up from there and as far as $110 over 4. That's just as a practical viewpoint though. More than $27.5 a year seems like a lot. I figured more like $22.5 a year or a little more seems about right.

Though honestly I wouldn't haggle over any money for a guy like Bridges. Many fans care more than they should (fans that like him) over not paying more than X amount....but for the Suns, they will be an over the cap team for the foreseeable future so paying him a few million less a year...it's not like it's going to create cap space. They will always be working with the mid level.

Unless they are just worried about saving money for Sarver which seems odd.

I agree Porter has that potential, but with the injury history and not playing for long, it's kind of tough to give him that contract.

I didn't know you could have 3 5 year max contracts. They have a lot of big contracts..those 3 maxes, Gordon at $23, Barton at $15, Clarkson at $13, etc.

[theonlyclutch]

Denver will have a rough, rough time keeping on to their depth as the contracts from MPJ/Murray kick in, that's a lot of money sunk into three players that are *at best* neutral on defense, in positions where defense is really important, nonetheless.

[tiderulz]

Of course talks on the Suns forum are his contract and Bridges pending one. I said I'd rather have Bridges but then get rebuttals that Porter is on another tier.

I know Porter was originally the top prospect in the Luka, Trae, Ayton class and compared to KD, so he has enormous upside, but off one really good season, I am a bit surprised he got the max.

Bridges was 8 pts 4 rebs his first 2 years. this year as 4th fiddle he put up 13 ppg. you could objectively say he has only had 1 good season too.

I guess it depends on how you look at it. He's always been a solid defender and finisher and most of last season after a bad start was an elite 3 pt shooter.

He should get more shots but he is an elite finisher at the rim at over 79% (for example, Ayton who is pretty elite is 77%). Then he is among the best 3 pt shooters and wing defenders. And he started creating his own shot.

If he wasn't a 4th option he could easily be close to a 20 ppg scorer on elite efficiency. He had a near 67% TS%.

Even last year despite not scoring much he was at a 62% TS%.

And the Suns were a bad team before inserting him into the starting lineup last year and when they did they suddenly became one of the best starting lineups with like a +25 net rating.

except he doesnt have the skills to be a 20 ppg scorer with efficiency.

[Rapcity_11]

Count me as not a fan of this deal for Denver. There was no reason to not give it a season to see how his health holds up and if he expands his game.

The reason was to lock him up for 5 years, no options. Maybe not worth it to you, but there's a clear reason for it.

They could offer him exactly this deal at the end of the season though, right? The timing here, as with Murray's deal, treats the player like he's doing them a favor by agreeing to sign for the max, and neither player had the kind of track record to suggest that's true.

I really love Denver anteing up to maximise their shot at a championship while they have an MVP in his prime, but there's no reason to combine free spending with locking themselves into guys before they really have to.

Another team could offer him a 3+1.

[Rapcity_11]

Bridges was 8 pts 4 rebs his first 2 years. this year as 4th fiddle he put up 13 ppg. you could objectively say he has only had 1 good season too.

I guess it depends on how you look at it. He's always been a solid defender and finisher and most of last season after a bad start was an elite 3 pt shooter.

He should get more shots but he is an elite finisher at the rim at over 79% (for example, Ayton who is pretty elite is 77%). Then he is among the best 3 pt shooters and wing defenders. And he started creating his own shot.

If he wasn't a 4th option he could easily be close to a 20 ppg scorer on elite efficiency. He had a near 67% TS%.

Even last year despite not scoring much he was at a 62% TS%.

And the Suns were a bad team before inserting him into the starting lineup last year and when they did they suddenly became one of the best starting lineups with like a +25 net rating.

except he doesnt have the skills to be a 20 ppg scorer with efficiency.

Uhh, he just averaged 21.9 PP36 (19 PPG), so he clearly could with a tiny bump in minutes.

[MoneyTalks41890]

I mean if I’m Bridges agent I’m definitely taking the position that this is his market. If I’m the Suns I disagree. But this didn’t make the new deal cheaper.

[bwgood77]

Bridges was 8 pts 4 rebs his first 2 years. this year as 4th fiddle he put up 13 ppg. you could objectively say he has only had 1 good season too.

I guess it depends on how you look at it. He's always been a solid defender and finisher and most of last season after a bad start was an elite 3 pt shooter.

He should get more shots but he is an elite finisher at the rim at over 79% (for example, Ayton who is pretty elite is 77%). Then he is among the best 3 pt shooters and wing defenders. And he started creating his own shot.

If he wasn't a 4th option he could easily be close to a 20 ppg scorer on elite efficiency. He had a near 67% TS%.

Even last year despite not scoring much he was at a 62% TS%.

And the Suns were a bad team before inserting him into the starting lineup last year and when they did they suddenly became one of the best starting lineups with like a +25 net rating.

except he doesnt have the skills to be a 20 ppg scorer with efficiency.

Maybe not at his 67% TS%, but he is efficient everywhere and is just now working on creating his own shot. I'm pretty sure he could keep it up above 60%. I don't expect him to quite hit 20, but maybe close. I think he's very underrated on what he can do offensively.

[bondom34]

Judging Bridges for volume scoring is like judging Porter for defense. Bridges was borderline all defense this year.

[MoneyTalks41890]

I guess it depends on how you look at it. He's always been a solid defender and finisher and most of last season after a bad start was an elite 3 pt shooter.

He should get more shots but he is an elite finisher at the rim at over 79% (for example, Ayton who is pretty elite is 77%). Then he is among the best 3 pt shooters and wing defenders. And he started creating his own shot.

If he wasn't a 4th option he could easily be close to a 20 ppg scorer on elite efficiency. He had a near 67% TS%.

Even last year despite not scoring much he was at a 62% TS%.

And the Suns were a bad team before inserting him into the starting lineup last year and when they did they suddenly became one of the best starting lineups with like a +25 net rating.

except he doesnt have the skills to be a 20 ppg scorer with efficiency.

Maybe not at his 67% TS%, but he is efficient everywhere and is just now working on creating his own shot. I'm pretty sure he could keep it up above 60%. I don't expect him to quite hit 20, but maybe close. I think he's very underrated on what he can do offensively.

Offensively MPJ is limited only by his health and BBIQ, but he’s dominant otherwise. Defense is a different story.

Ah ok I may have misunderstood what I was talking about nvm.

[tiderulz]

I guess it depends on how you look at it. He's always been a solid defender and finisher and most of last season after a bad start was an elite 3 pt shooter.

He should get more shots but he is an elite finisher at the rim at over 79% (for example, Ayton who is pretty elite is 77%). Then he is among the best 3 pt shooters and wing defenders. And he started creating his own shot.

If he wasn't a 4th option he could easily be close to a 20 ppg scorer on elite efficiency. He had a near 67% TS%.

Even last year despite not scoring much he was at a 62% TS%.

And the Suns were a bad team before inserting him into the starting lineup last year and when they did they suddenly became one of the best starting lineups with like a +25 net rating.

except he doesnt have the skills to be a 20 ppg scorer with efficiency.

Uhh, he just averaged 21.9 PP36 (19 PPG), so he clearly could with a tiny bump in minutes.

we're talking about Bridges not MPJ

[Prospect Dong]

The reason was to lock him up for 5 years, no options. Maybe not worth it to you, but there's a clear reason for it.

They could offer him exactly this deal at the end of the season though, right? The timing here, as with Murray's deal, treats the player like he's doing them a favor by agreeing to sign for the max, and neither player had the kind of track record to suggest that's true.

I really love Denver anteing up to maximise their shot at a championship while they have an MVP in his prime, but there's no reason to combine free spending with locking themselves into guys before they really have to.

Another team could offer him a 3+1.

Sure. But they can, in fact, lock him up for 5 years, no options, if he wants to sign that kind of a deal - just like now. I think the odds of Denver changing their minds after this season, while low, are much higher than the odds of Porter changing his mind about wanting the full max. And I don't view agreeing to sign a deal without options as a significant concession from a guy who has played in zero all star games and is going to be paid the max.

[jbk1234]

The reason was to lock him up for 5 years, no options. Maybe not worth it to you, but there's a clear reason for it.

They could offer him exactly this deal at the end of the season though, right? The timing here, as with Murray's deal, treats the player like he's doing them a favor by agreeing to sign for the max, and neither player had the kind of track record to suggest that's true.

I really love Denver anteing up to maximise their shot at a championship while they have an MVP in his prime, but there's no reason to combine free spending with locking themselves into guys before they really have to.

Another team could offer him a 3+1.

And he'd turn down a 5 year max to sign that deal and have it matched?

Assuming that's the case, Denver would be happy to have him locked up for this season plus 3 more, versus 5, if his health doesn't hold up. I just think if you're going to take a risk on a player like this, that risk should be reflected in the overall amount and it's not here.

This season plus three more is a long time given the current dynamic of player movement.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using RealGM mobile app

[the_process]

Speaking of Bridges; if the Suns don't give it to him, he will certainly get a max offer sheet from someone else.

[BelgradeNugget]

Of course talks on the Suns forum are his contract and Bridges pending one. I said I'd rather have Bridges but then get rebuttals that Porter is on another tier.

I know Porter was originally the top prospect in the Luka, Trae, Ayton class and compared to KD, so he has enormous upside, but off one really good season, I am a bit surprised he got the max.

Bridges was 8 pts 4 rebs his first 2 years. this year as 4th fiddle he put up 13 ppg. you could objectively say he has only had 1 good season too.

I guess it depends on how you look at it. He's always been a solid defender and finisher and most of last season after a bad start was an elite 3 pt shooter.

He should get more shots but he is an elite finisher at the rim at over 79% (for example, Ayton who is pretty elite is 77%). Then he is among the best 3 pt shooters and wing defenders. And he started creating his own shot.

If he wasn't a 4th option he could easily be close to a 20 ppg scorer on elite efficiency. He had a near 67% TS%.

Even last year despite not scoring much he was at a 62% TS%.

And the Suns were a bad team before inserting him into the starting lineup last year and when they did they suddenly became one of the best starting lineups with like a +25 net rating.

I think the whole point is comparing MPJ's 2nd year in the league with Bridges 2nd year, and I will throw Ayton too. In his 2nd year Bridges showed potential to be really good 2 way player, and with a chance he got, he improved dramatically and he isn't done improving. Ayton was terrible defender as rookie, now one of the best in the league. Both of them are smart hard working kids.
Nuggets had MPJ in front of their eyes even when he was rehabbing in his 1st year. They saw him shooting. They saw him working. From year 1 to year 2 he justified their expectations for him. Was average defender when they moved him to PF defensively after Gordon trade. They know more about him than people who look from sides know. And it wasn't a question in any moment that he will get max offer from Nuggs as their GM said at the start of offseason.

[psimanic1]

They could offer him exactly this deal at the end of the season though, right? The timing here, as with Murray's deal, treats the player like he's doing them a favor by agreeing to sign for the max, and neither player had the kind of track record to suggest that's true.

I really love Denver anteing up to maximise their shot at a championship while they have an MVP in his prime, but there's no reason to combine free spending with locking themselves into guys before they really have to.

Another team could offer him a 3+1.

Sure. But they can, in fact, lock him up for 5 years, no options, if he wants to sign that kind of a deal - just like now. I think the odds of Denver changing their minds after this season, while low, are much higher than the odds of Porter changing his mind about wanting the full max. And I don't view agreeing to sign a deal without options as a significant concession from a guy who has played in zero all star games and is going to be paid the max.

Whats the difference, this contract will still start next season? This way, he doesnt have to think about it troughout the season

[Ballerhogger]

Denver will have a rough, rough time keeping on to their depth as the contracts from MPJ/Murray kick in, that's a lot of money sunk into three players that are *at best* neutral on defense, in positions where defense is really important, nonetheless.

If they can contend Copy and pasta the lakers way sign get 1 year deals