ATL - Bledsoe signs with the Suns for 5/$70

[emunney]

I was one of the first ones saying this was a plunge into mediocrity for the Suns, but we should remember that this is only *likely* mediocrity and that they do have a pretty creative GM who has shown an ability to manufacture opportunity. So it's probably too soon to make assumptions about their trajectory.

Also maybe Alex Len isn't a bust?

[paulpressey25]

PHX has never been a top FA destination.

Yep. They had a lot of cap room this past summer, young talent, draft picks, good coach. And not like I was expecting them to land LeBron, but they ended up with Isiah Thomas.

I think they are like most teams, and unlikely to get a true difference maker in FA. They only have the ability to overpay guys like Isiah Thomas, Channing Frye, etc.

We are obviously worse at being able to attract FA's, but the difference between MKE and PHX is slight and the difference between PHX and LA/NY is massive.

[WeekapaugGroove]

PHX has never been a top FA destination.

Yep. They had a lot of cap room this past summer, young talent, draft picks, good coach. And not like I was expecting them to land LeBron, but they ended up with Isiah Thomas.

I think they are like most teams, and unlikely to get a true difference maker in FA. They only have the ability to overpay guys like Isiah Thomas, Channing Frye, etc.

We are obviously worse at being able to attract FA's, but the difference between MKE and PHX is slight and the difference between PHX and LA/NY is massive.

if the cap jumps like it's said to be going to then I think it makes it harder for all teams even the ny and LAs of the world because every team will have more money to spend. The way the cba is set up it makes it pretty unlikely that good young stars leave their incumbent teams in their primes. Shoot even this year the Lakers and rockets had max room and didn't land a star. Free agency is a more reliable path to land the get you over the hump role player than the cornerstone piece. That's why it's not a terrible gamble to pay a guy like Bledsoe because there's no guarantee in using the money saved on not paying him to land a better player in free agency.

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[ReasonablySober]

PHX has never been a top FA destination.

Yep. They had a lot of cap room this past summer, young talent, draft picks, good coach. And not like I was expecting them to land LeBron, but they ended up with Isiah Thomas.

I think they are like most teams, and unlikely to get a true difference maker in FA. They only have the ability to overpay guys like Isiah Thomas, Channing Frye, etc.

We are obviously worse at being able to attract FA's, but the difference between MKE and PHX is slight and the difference between PHX and LA/NY is massive.

They got Thomas on one of the most team friendly deals in recent memory.

[cameroncrazies2]

I think the Suns are in a not so good situation. They're caught in mediocrity and their future relies on the health of an injury prone player. Do not want

Injury prone? He's had one injury. Other than that, he's been mostly healthy playing in 81 games his first season, playing 40 his second (assigned to D-League during others), 76 his third and 40 this past season before he tore his meniscus.

[H2tObes]

I think the Suns are in a not so good situation. They're caught in mediocrity and their future relies on the health of an injury prone player. Do not want

Injury prone? He's had one injury. Other than that, he's been mostly healthy playing in 81 games his first season, playing 40 his second (assigned to D-League during others), 76 his third and 40 this past season before he tore his meniscus.

First season he got serious minutes. Knee injuries are never good. I admit I thought he was injured his second season

[WeekapaugGroove]

Even those like myself who think it was a good move also know it was a gamble. But other than the no brainer guys like Durant most of these large contracts come with risk. With that said I'd rather risk it on a 24 yr old who you lock up for his prime than pay big money to a 30 year old guy on his 3rd contact. And that's what's typically on the market; guys like ariza and Deng or even the crazy money a guy bosh got. Guys entering their prime get paid look at the deals parsons and Hayward got.

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[jr lucosa]

They got Thomas on one of the most team friendly deals in recent memory.

Yep, probably the steal of the off season.

[paulpressey25]

They got Thomas on one of the most team friendly deals in recent memory.

Yep, probably the steal of the off season.

Eh. I'm not considering a 5-9" combo guard who turns 26 y/o, signing a 4/$28 deal being a steal. He's a good sixth man, but they paid market for him, and he's not an impact starter which was my point. i.e. PHX isn't luring an impact starter there in FA. Players like LMA aren't making the move to PHX next year if he's got a good offer from LA/NY or gets maxed by PDX.

[jr lucosa]

20 points per on a .574 ts, has improved every season and he signed a deal similar to what the swag twins got one off season prior.

I agree that PHX doesnt seem like the most desirable FA destination, but that contract they gave Thomas was a steal.

[Plossum]

I think Phx is far from mediocrity.

They're not going to be a contender this year but they have a load of young talent on very friendly contracts and a ton of cap room. They're in prime position to either make a big trade if the right asset comes along or snap up a decent free agent that may be available (although I admit unlikely).

Mediocrity was the Monta Ellis era where the Bucks had **** players on **** contracts with a 7th/8th seed ceiling.

Big difference is Phx is in a position to upgrade with the assets they have. A truly mediocre team like the Monta Bucks are stuck on the hamster wheel to nowhere.

[WeekapaugGroove]

They got Thomas on one of the most team friendly deals in recent memory.

Yep, probably the steal of the off season.

Eh. I'm not considering a 5-9" combo guard who turns 26 y/o, signing a 4/$28 deal being a steal. He's a good sixth man, but they paid market for him, and he's not an impact starter which was my point. i.e. PHX isn't luring an impact starter there in FA. Players like LMA aren't making the move to PHX next year if he's got a good offer from LA/NY or gets maxed by PDX.

you're contradictory. On one hand you say the big name guys like lma won't be headed there next yr (which is probably true) but I'm also getting the impression you don't like the Thomas and Bledsoe signings. Since the big fas aren't coming isn't gathering assets of guys in their primes like Bledsoe and Thomas a good thing? Phoenix has a bunch of young pieces that who knows maybe the strike gold with a len or Warren plus the have the lakers top 3 protected pick and the wolves top 12 protected next year. This is far from a finished product of a roster but with a promising young gm and coach they look to be headed in the right direction.

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[ReasonablySober]

They got Thomas on one of the most team friendly deals in recent memory.

Yep, probably the steal of the off season.

Eh. I'm not considering a 5-9" combo guard who turns 26 y/o, signing a 4/$28 deal being a steal. He's a good sixth man, but they paid market for him, and he's not an impact starter which was my point. i.e. PHX isn't luring an impact starter there in FA. Players like LMA aren't making the move to PHX next year if he's got a good offer from LA/NY or gets maxed by PDX.

The point is if they can't attract a FA they're going to need to acquire assets other teams would trade for. Thomas, on his deal, absolutely is.

[MrPerfect1]

I think Phx is far from mediocrity.

They're not going to be a contender this year but they have a load of young talent on very friendly contracts and a ton of cap room. They're in prime position to either make a big trade if the right asset comes along or snap up a decent free agent that may be available (although I admit unlikely).

Mediocrity was the Monta Ellis era where the Bucks had **** players on **** contracts with a 7th/8th seed ceiling.

Big difference is Phx is in a position to upgrade with the assets they have. A truly mediocre team like the Monta Bucks are stuck on the hamster wheel to nowhere.

I think PHO is going to become the West's version of the Hawks. PHO might be in position to make a move with its assets but who is even the next big name to be available? Cousins and Drummond are untouchable, not LMA or Love, not Durant, Griffin, or Lebron. I cannot imagine any superstar being moved soon in a trade.

I also see PHO having a Min problem and keeping its players happy. They have 96 Mins/Game at the guard positions:

Dragic 30/Game: He def won't be happy playing less than 30/game in a contract year
Bledsoe: 30/Game: Can't imagine him playing less than this or would be a big decline over last year
Green: 20/Game: 8 Mins/Game lower than last year, even this may make him unhappy
Thomas: 16 /Game: Huge Downgrade in Mins, not sure he will be happy with this
Dragic #2: 0/Game: Maybe he is OK with 0 mins for year 1?
Ennis: 0/Game: He may be happy for a bit but eventually will not

Maybe their plan is to have some of these guys play some of the SF mins but that would make them quite undersized. Not sure about the Tucker situation, but when he returns he will be around 30/game at SF so not tons of Mins for the above players too

[emunney]

I think Phx is far from mediocrity.

They're not going to be a contender this year but they have a load of young talent on very friendly contracts and a ton of cap room. They're in prime position to either make a big trade if the right asset comes along or snap up a decent free agent that may be available (although I admit unlikely).

Mediocrity was the Monta Ellis era where the Bucks had **** players on **** contracts with a 7th/8th seed ceiling.

Big difference is Phx is in a position to upgrade with the assets they have. A truly mediocre team like the Monta Bucks are stuck on the hamster wheel to nowhere.

What is their load of young talent? Len, Goodwin, Warren and Ennis? Does every team in the league have a load of young talent?

[WeekapaugGroove]

I think Phx is far from mediocrity.

They're not going to be a contender this year but they have a load of young talent on very friendly contracts and a ton of cap room. They're in prime position to either make a big trade if the right asset comes along or snap up a decent free agent that may be available (although I admit unlikely).

Mediocrity was the Monta Ellis era where the Bucks had **** players on **** contracts with a 7th/8th seed ceiling.

Big difference is Phx is in a position to upgrade with the assets they have. A truly mediocre team like the Monta Bucks are stuck on the hamster wheel to nowhere.

What is their load of young talent? Len, Goodwin, Warren and Ennis? Does every team in the league have a load of young talent?

they have the 5 1st rounders in len Goodwin Warren ennis and Bogdan stashed plus they have Lakers pick next yr and possibly the wolves. The draft is a crap shoot but if you roll the dice enough might roll a 7. I think Warren has a shot at being a real good player but who knows at this point. Plus they have Goran Bledsoe and a very under rated markief morris.

It's also just yr 2 of the rebuild. Far from a finished roster.


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[ejn1214]

I think Phx is far from mediocrity.

They're not going to be a contender this year but they have a load of young talent on very friendly contracts and a ton of cap room. They're in prime position to either make a big trade if the right asset comes along or snap up a decent free agent that may be available (although I admit unlikely).

Mediocrity was the Monta Ellis era where the Bucks had **** players on **** contracts with a 7th/8th seed ceiling.

Big difference is Phx is in a position to upgrade with the assets they have. A truly mediocre team like the Monta Bucks are stuck on the hamster wheel to nowhere.

I think PHO is going to become the West's version of the Hawks. PHO might be in position to make a move with its assets but who is even the next big name to be available? Cousins and Drummond are untouchable, not LMA or Love, not Durant, Griffin, or Lebron. I cannot imagine any superstar being moved soon in a trade.

I also see PHO having a Min problem and keeping its players happy. They have 96 Mins/Game at the guard positions:

Dragic 30/Game: He def won't be happy playing less than 30/game in a contract year
Bledsoe: 30/Game: Can't imagine him playing less than this or would be a big decline over last year
Green: 20/Game: 8 Mins/Game lower than last year, even this may make him unhappy
Thomas: 16 /Game: Huge Downgrade in Mins, not sure he will be happy with this
Dragic #2: 0/Game: Maybe he is OK with 0 mins for year 1?
Ennis: 0/Game: He may be happy for a bit but eventually will not

Maybe their plan is to have some of these guys play some of the SF mins but that would make them quite undersized. Not sure about the Tucker situation, but when he returns he will be around 30/game at SF so not tons of Mins for the above players too

I think that is a great comparison with the Hawks. Also, agree they have loaded up on guards who will want minutes and have average bigs, unless Len turns into something. They will be probably be somewhere in the range of 5-9 seed with this lineup, and I doubt they will ever be able to get a superstar from a trade or FA.

[WRau1]

5'9 combo guards aren't assets, they are 6th men that a championship caliber club would MLE or trade a late 1st for.

[Fresh_Prince12]

5'9 combo guards aren't assets, they are 6th men that a championship caliber club would MLE or trade a late 1st for.

pretty much this. Just don't buy the hype for the suns. Every one of their players played above their heads last year. I was fooled like that once before with the bucks, I ain't falling for it again.

[emunney]

I think Phx is far from mediocrity.

They're not going to be a contender this year but they have a load of young talent on very friendly contracts and a ton of cap room. They're in prime position to either make a big trade if the right asset comes along or snap up a decent free agent that may be available (although I admit unlikely).

Mediocrity was the Monta Ellis era where the Bucks had **** players on **** contracts with a 7th/8th seed ceiling.

Big difference is Phx is in a position to upgrade with the assets they have. A truly mediocre team like the Monta Bucks are stuck on the hamster wheel to nowhere.

What is their load of young talent? Len, Goodwin, Warren and Ennis? Does every team in the league have a load of young talent?

they have the 5 1st rounders in len Goodwin Warren ennis and Bogdan stashed plus they have Lakers pick next yr and possibly the wolves. The draft is a crap shoot but if you roll the dice enough might roll a 7. I think Warren has a shot at being a real good player but who knows at this point. Plus they have Goran Bledsoe and a very under rated markief morris.

It's also just yr 2 of the rebuild. Far from a finished roster.

4 late first rounders who haven't done anything and a top 5 pick who couldn't get on the court as a rookie. If that's a load of young talent, what would you call any team who actually has one significant young talent? What about the teams who have two? You guys have to learn to save these superlative descriptions for things that are actually exceptional.