Official Trade Thread: New Year, New Thread, New Laughs

[NavLDO]

You don't trade your (2nd) best player for a late lotto pick when you have a chance to make the playoffs for the 1st time in 5 years.

Yep. these media types need to realize we are a "buyer" of talent this season, not a "seller". The only we are trading Dragic is if he's packaged for a "better" player, not sold for a package of potentials, etc.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

You don't trade your (2nd) best player for a late lotto pick when you have a chance to make the playoffs for the 1st time in 5 years.

Yep. these media types need to realize we are a "buyer" of talent this season, not a "seller". The only we are trading Dragic is if he's packaged for a "better" player, not sold for a package of potentials, etc.

I'm not so sure. McD's been in asset-collecting mode for a while, and I'm sure he wants to continue to roll these assets forward to the extent he can. I get frustrated with Gerald, but Gerald at $7M > Dragic at $14M, and I think that's pretty close to what we'll see. And I'm not even sure $14M does the trick if New York and LA are bidding.

Fact is, we're not as close as Houston. Their most talented players are in their prime or on the decline. The talented players we have in their prime are not as good as James Harden or Dwight Howard. OTOH, our time horizon extends quite a bit longer due to our surplus of young talent.

I'm not sure we could really use another lotto pick, but it'll be a valuable asset, which is not only more than the nothing we could end up with if Dragic walks this summer, but it's also probably just as or more valuable as Dragic on a $14M deal.

This is all to say, if you're keeping your eye on the prize, I like this:

Bledsoe/Thomas/Ennis
Green/Goodwin/Bogdanovic
Tucker/Warren
Morris/Morris
Len/Plumlee
+ 2 late lotto picks
+ Lakers 2016 pick

I'm not sure the FO sees it that way, because in addition to the GM, there's also the owner to consider. To the extent we promote our non-Dragon players, the more room it will open with our fan base to peel this band-aid.

[letsgosuns]

Jeff Green is an inconsistent player. Just look at his last five games. 6 pts against Sacramento. 18 points against Dallas. 11 points against Chicago. 7 points against Charlotte. 8 points against Brooklyn. That has been the knock on him for a long time. Some games he is a go to guy and other games he disappears. He is absolutely not a superstar and I doubt ever will be. I do not think he is worth trading for. Yes he would be an offensive upgrade over Tucker and he is taller, but why bother trading for him when the Suns have 6'8" T.J. Warren sitting on the bench. The Suns should be thinking superstar or no trade, and that is what I believe they are doing. Most of the players supposedly available would be lateral moves.

[Qwigglez]

If Dragic left in free agency I would hope we make a play for Wes Mathews.

[WeekapaugGroove]

The Dragic situation is another example of why they should change the CBA and allow the two sides to work on an extension right now. Now if I'm Goran I would still probably wait and see what kind of money teams throw at him in the summer.

I have no doubt Goran "wants" to stay in Phoenix but heck so did Channing Fry and we know how that turned out. Money matters especially to these guys who don't have crazy endorsement deals or are coming off of a couple of max deals. I want Goran back but he could get an offer from a team like the Knicks that would be very hard to stomach; and there no given he even gives us a chance to match.

[Flying Colors]

celtics want to get rid of brandon wright right now, maybe the minnesota first is enough

[suns91fan]

I have no doubts Dragic will resign as soon as FA starts. He'll probably get what Bledsoe got, and both sides will be happy with it.

[NapoleonII]

I want Brandon Wright here.

A 6'10 rebounder who's athletic, long, hustles and doesn't need plays set for him? Seems like a perfect fit for our 3 PG monster.

[JDLAW]

You don't trade your (2nd) best player for a late lotto pick when you have a chance to make the playoffs for the 1st time in 5 years.

Yep. these media types need to realize we are a "buyer" of talent this season, not a "seller". The only we are trading Dragic is if he's packaged for a "better" player, not sold for a package of potentials, etc.

I'm not so sure. McD's been in asset-collecting mode for a while, and I'm sure he wants to continue to roll these assets forward to the extent he can. I get frustrated with Gerald, but Gerald at $7M > Dragic at $14M, and I think that's pretty close to what we'll see. And I'm not even sure $14M does the trick if New York and LA are bidding.

Fact is, we're not as close as Houston. Their most talented players are in their prime or on the decline. The talented players we have in their prime are not as good as James Harden or Dwight Howard. OTOH, our time horizon extends quite a bit longer due to our surplus of young talent.

I'm not sure we could really use another lotto pick, but it'll be a valuable asset, which is not only more than the nothing we could end up with if Dragic walks this summer, but it's also probably just as or more valuable as Dragic on a $14M deal.

This is all to say, if you're keeping your eye on the prize, I like this:

Bledsoe/Thomas/Ennis
Green/Goodwin/Bogdanovic
Tucker/Warren
Morris/Morris
Len/Plumlee
+ 2 late lotto picks
+ Lakers 2016 pick

I'm not sure the FO sees it that way, because in addition to the GM, there's also the owner to consider. To the extent we promote our non-Dragon players, the more room it will open with our fan base to peel this band-aid.

With all due respect, I disagree with just about everything you have said. Do not believe the Suns are interested in trading their best player(s) for draft choices even if their contracts are coming due. McD will for a major star, but will not go backwards and trade stars (Dragic is one) for mediocre draft choices.

[JDLAW]

The Dragic situation is another example of why they should change the CBA and allow the two sides to work on an extension right now. Now if I'm Goran I would still probably wait and see what kind of money teams throw at him in the summer.

I have no doubt Goran "wants" to stay in Phoenix but heck so did Channing Fry and we know how that turned out. Money matters especially to these guys who don't have crazy endorsement deals or are coming off of a couple of max deals. I want Goran back but he could get an offer from a team like the Knicks that would be very hard to stomach; and there no given he even gives us a chance to match.

I think the CBA is just fine. For every case like Dragic, there is a an older player who has an ETO who wants to extend where there should be no extension. The one thing that exists here is that there is no ban on the Suns talking to Goran or his agent during the year under the guise of "extension" and no other team can contact him or his agent about a contract. I also believe Dragic wants to be in Phoenix, but will listen to other teams'. Frye was different. He wanted to be here and the Suns wanted him back, but Orlando made him an offer he could not refuse and the Suns could not financially match. That contract is going to be an albatross in a year, if it isn't already and would have been an immediate albatross in PHX as the younger players contracts came due.

I do not think NYK is a huge threat to the Suns keeping Dragic - in the end it cannot pay more than PHX and NYC has a huge cost of living and tax disadvantage.

[Qwigglez]

Dragic would be under a ton of scrutiny in NY too. I doubt anyone wants to play there right now.

[WeekapaugGroove]

The Dragic situation is another example of why they should change the CBA and allow the two sides to work on an extension right now. Now if I'm Goran I would still probably wait and see what kind of money teams throw at him in the summer.

I have no doubt Goran "wants" to stay in Phoenix but heck so did Channing Fry and we know how that turned out. Money matters especially to these guys who don't have crazy endorsement deals or are coming off of a couple of max deals. I want Goran back but he could get an offer from a team like the Knicks that would be very hard to stomach; and there no given he even gives us a chance to match.

I think the CBA is just fine. For every case like Dragic, there is a an older player who has an ETO who wants to extend where there should be no extension. The one thing that exists here is that there is no ban on the Suns talking to Goran or his agent during the year under the guise of "extension" and no other team can contact him or his agent about a contract. I also believe Dragic wants to be in Phoenix, but will listen to other teams'. Frye was different. He wanted to be here and the Suns wanted him back, but Orlando made him an offer he could not refuse and the Suns could not financially match. That contract is going to be an albatross in a year, if it isn't already and would have been an immediate albatross in PHX as the younger players contracts came due.

I do not think NYK is a huge threat to the Suns keeping Dragic - in the end it cannot pay more than PHX and NYC has a huge cost of living and tax disadvantage.

sure the suns "can" pay more but that would mean he got a near max deal. I like Goran a lot but I wouldn't feel good about him on a max.

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[WeekapaugGroove]

The Dragic situation is another example of why they should change the CBA and allow the two sides to work on an extension right now. Now if I'm Goran I would still probably wait and see what kind of money teams throw at him in the summer.

I have no doubt Goran "wants" to stay in Phoenix but heck so did Channing Fry and we know how that turned out. Money matters especially to these guys who don't have crazy endorsement deals or are coming off of a couple of max deals. I want Goran back but he could get an offer from a team like the Knicks that would be very hard to stomach; and there no given he even gives us a chance to match.

I think the CBA is just fine. For every case like Dragic, there is a an older player who has an ETO who wants to extend where there should be no extension. The one thing that exists here is that there is no ban on the Suns talking to Goran or his agent during the year under the guise of "extension" and no other team can contact him or his agent about a contract. I also believe Dragic wants to be in Phoenix, but will listen to other teams'. Frye was different. He wanted to be here and the Suns wanted him back, but Orlando made him an offer he could not refuse and the Suns could not financially match. That contract is going to be an albatross in a year, if it isn't already and would have been an immediate albatross in PHX as the younger players contracts came due.

I do not think NYK is a huge threat to the Suns keeping Dragic - in the end it cannot pay more than PHX and NYC has a huge cost of living and tax disadvantage.

sure the suns "can" pay more but that would mean he got a near max deal. I like Goran a lot but I wouldn't feel good about him on a max. I'd love 4-48 and would be alright up to 4-60. Other teams can offer him that. Suns could do a 5th year but at his age that's a little scary too.

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[Jdiddy701]

The only way Dragic leaves is if Suns trade him. There's no doubt in my mind come free agency he resigns in Phoenix. He won't even meet with another team that's how confident I am.


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[Christine-In-AZ]

I'm not sure we could really use another lotto pick, but it'll be a valuable asset, which is not only more than the nothing we could end up with if Dragic walks this summer, but it's also probably just as or more valuable as Dragic on a $14M deal.

Wow. That high on Dragic.

Unreal.

Dragic would likely be reprising his '13-'14 should've been an all-star/3rd team all-NBA guard performance if this Isaiah Thomas asset holding/gimmick offense wasn't in place.

Dude is going to get 15 to 17 million dollars a year this summer, and he'll be worth it for whom ever he plays for. With his style of play, he's going to be in his prime until he's 34 or 35.

If the three headed PG thing is still in place come FA season, Goran would be a fool not to take the Knicks offer of 16 million per year. Yes JD, there's the cost of living in NYC, but Goran will earn millions in endorsements beyond his player contract, and the nation will actually get to know this guy and his talent much better.

[Qwigglez]

With his style of play, he's going to be in his prime until he's 34 or 35.

True. A lot of PG's now run out of gas before they are even 30 because they rely solely on athletic ability. Heck, I thought D-Will was gonna be solid up until his mid-30's but he's clearly worn the tread on those tires.

[bwgood77]

Dragic's decision is going to be influenced by how the three-point guard line-up works out in the end.

If they make the 7th seed and do some damage, I could see him giving us a slight discount and edge for resigning him.

But then again, it's money and money talks.

I think we will give him as much money as anyone else will since we will likely be limited in free agency anyway, and there are not any better free agents out there that would likely sign with us. If the cap goes up big time next summer too, then it won't be a big deal anyway and Sarver won't mind paying him with the new tv deal kicking in.

Generally, you don't let high caliber players walk. If other teams want to sign him, then he will have trade value if we sign him, so at worst, it's just retaining a desirable asset.

It's a lot easier to trade for stars than sign them in free agency, and the more quality pieces you have to make a deal work, the better. Signing him at whatever cost is a no brainer. It's hard enough to get quality players in free agency as it is, especially if you are not in a huge market, or a very well established contender, so it would be damn stupid to let one leave us in free agency, or of course, trading him for a late lotto pick, which would have about a 2% chance of ever being as good as Dragic. Maybe 1 or 2 guys in every draft class EVER make an All NBA 3rd team or better. And it is very unlikely that if it isn't the first or second pick that year, that it happens to be the guy your team picked.

[letsgosuns]

Ric Bucher's report about the Rockets wanting Dragic and offering the New Orleans Pelicans pick in return for him is a joke. Why would the Suns give up arguably the best player on the team for a very late lottery pick? Makes absolutely no sense now or for the future. If the Suns do not make the playoffs, they already will have most likely a late lottery pick. Plus they get the Lakers lottery pick if it is not in the top five. They also have four players on the team already that are like 21 years old and own the rights to another player in Europe who is 22. Does the team really need three or four more rookies to add to it? This is not baseball where you have 9 players on the field and draft guys to keep them in the minors for a while.

Trading Dragic for a pick makes the Suns much worse while greatly improving the Rockets. Oh yeah, let's do that for sure right? So ridiculous. I am also surprised this garbage about the Suns not wanting to pay Dragic what he wants keeps getting reported. Do these insiders know anything? The Suns have said multiple times they have the money to give Dragic whatever he wants if they decide to keep him. So a new contract is not an issue. The only issue is if they believe he is going to leave no matter what, which I doubt is how they feel.

The Suns are trying to make the playoffs. Trading one of your best players for nothing that helps you this year while making one of your opponents better is not a recipe for success. No wonder Ric Bucher is not working for ESPN anymore. What a tool. I never liked him anyway.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Chris: $17 million? ****. I like the way he's been playing too, but I'm also sensitive to the advanced stats. Dragic is not one of the 6 best guards in the league. He's only arguably the best guard on his own team. He's not a star.

JD: The last star was traded for guys on rookie deals (Love). The one before that, too (Harden). And the one before that (Melo). And the one before that, too (Williams). Stars usually get moved in a rebuilding effort. High draft picks - not semistars with big contracts - are the sorts of assets that are traded for stars. We can disagree plenty, but my position is not exactly indefensible.

[WeekapaugGroove]

So am I understanding right that some of you would be comfortable giving dragic max money? I believe his max amount would start at 17.7 mil a year. I love Goran but I don't think he's a true max guy.

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