2014 Official FA Thread

[DirtyDez]

Melo/Bosh max is 24m a year, that's 40% of the salary cap. Only guy worthy of that is Lebron...

IMO Love nor Lebron is signing a longterm deal unless they're joining a star like each other or someone else (not considering Dragic or Bledsoe in that class). Making the playoffs would be huge in the recruitment process and McD learned from the original GOAT of team transformation. Teams like OKC, HOU and LAC have more talent and they're not going anywhere for the foreseeable future.

When do you consider Dragic and Bledsoe "stars"? If Dragic is selected to one of the "all-pro" teams after the season is ended, would you consider him a star. The fact that LeBron has already stated that Dragic should have been on an all-star team also qualifies him as a worthy star and running mate. He has also noticed Bledsoe's breakout season - cut short by the injury - but nevertheless if you asked him, I think LeBron would consider both of them to be "stars". I look at things objectively and do not live in the past with undeserved labels. If you added Lebron as a free agent to the Suns' roster (not saying it is going to occur or that there is even a probability) and use the draft choices prudently, this team could very well be on the same plane as OKC, Houston, and LAC in terms of competing for a championship.

I'm glad Lebron said a few nice things about our backcourt but I don't see them convincing Lebron to leave a current title-contender. If we can trade for a star (and by star I mean a player who has dominated for more than half a season ala LBJ joining Wade/Bosh) then we could be a legit landing spot for him. One thing is for certain that making the playoffs would really help our cause in that regard.

[DirtyDez]

With the way frye contribution has died off I hope he does opt out.
Though he's always been streaky

Depends on what he's willing to accept to stay home. With Bledsoe getting a payday and possibly Dragic the next summer I'm keeping our books clean.

[MilotheSlayer]

What about signing Okafor back this coming season. He might come cheap and let Plumdog be our backup and let him grow another year.

He is already under contract with the Suns. They do not need to resign him. He is neither cheap, nor is he coming back because of his neck injury.

I'm willing to bet he'll be ready to go next year, and we would need to resign him in order for him to play. Plus looking at the fact that he's a veteran coming off an injury I bet we could snag him relatively cheap and no where near the amount we'll pay him this season.

[MrMiyagi]

Why would Lebron leave the Eastern Conference? Because of Indy? So he'd rather have to battle with the Clippers, Thunder, Spurs, Rockets, Blazers and Warriors than Indy and maybe Chicago? I think he stays in Miami.

[Marz11]

A Lebron, Bledsoe and Dragic trio makes no sense. All want and need the ball in their hands to be effective. You can accomodate two, but three won't work.

[Cutter]

A Lebron, Bledsoe and Dragic trio makes no sense. All want and need the ball in their hands to be effective. You can accomodate two, but three won't work.

Agree. I can't imagine LeBron playing off ball very much. That dude needs to have the ball in his hands as much as possible.

[DirtyDez]

Lebron/Dragic/Love would be best case but Lebron/Love/Bledsoe is more realistic financially. Lebron isn't coming to a 7-9 seed unless a perrenial all-pro is also acquired to join him.

[bigfoot]

A Lebron, Bledsoe and Dragic trio makes no sense. All want and need the ball in their hands to be effective. You can accomodate two, but three won't work.

Agree. I can't imagine LeBron playing off ball very much. That dude needs to have the ball in his hands as much as possible.

So Bledsoe/Dragic can't push hard for fastbreaks. If the defense is set then we can't let Lebron be the first option in half court? Crazy talk.

[jcsunsfan]

If Suns are gonna win a championship, I want Dragic and Bledsoe leading the team to it.

This. And man, I`d cry tears of joy if that happen.

Seriously, Dragic, Bledsoe and Love would, hands down, make the most entertaining team in the NBA. Make it happen, McD!

I'm not sure Love is the answer. Unless Len develops as a very consistent D asana rim protector we need more d from the pf position.

[jcsunsfan]

A Lebron, Bledsoe and Dragic trio makes no sense. All want and need the ball in their hands to be effective. You can accomodate two, but three won't work.

Agree. I can't imagine LeBron playing off ball very much. That dude needs to have the ball in his hands as much as possible.

Lebron can be supremely effective in whatever way he pleases. He is a combo forward that can pass. He could mesh with them easily. To me, the closest person in history to Lebron is Magic. While Magic was a pg, he could be effective in any position on the floor. When Kareem when down with an ankle injury, (game 6 of the NBA finals in 1980) Magic started the game at center and dominated. Lebron can play whatever position he wants, with or without distributing.

[letsgosuns]

I was looking at all of the free agents available in 2014 and 2015 and there are only a handful of guys that will be available that I think have the potential to make the Suns elite/title contenders.

Here is the list: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/99475 ... -2014-2015

Assuming the Suns re-sign Bledsoe and continue on with him, Dragic, Green, Tucker, Len, Plumlee, Goodwin, maybe Ish Smith, and some future rookies, I would look at any of the following players:

2014 Free Agents

Lebron, Wade, Bosh (for all of the obvious reasons, although I highly doubt any of these guys will leave Miami)

Carmelo (I have never been a big fan of his, ever, but he is a bonafide superstar scorer and extremely tough and a great rebounder for his position, and if he is willing to share the ball, it might work, but that is a big "if")

Trevor Ariza for a small contract if the team is looking for an upgrade to improve the roster after acquiring a superstar either in free agency or via trade

That is it for 2014. I would not spend big money on anyone else available this year except re-signing Bledsoe.

2015 Free Agents

Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge. Tyson Chandler possibly if the Suns still need an interior defender depending on what is going on with Len and Plumlee.

Besides those guys, again, I am not interested in anyone. There are just rarely superstars available in free agency and if you do not get one of them, you do not want to be stuck with terrible contracts for guys like Josh Smith and Carlos Boozer. Extremely overpaid second and third tier NBA players. No thanks.

I would also make a draft day trade for Love assuming he agrees to an extension but Dragic, Bledsoe, Len, and Goodwin are all off limits. I would also try to hold onto Plumlee and Tucker as well. But the Wolves can have both Morris brothers, Frye, and draft picks, including the Lakers 2015 first round pick (top-5 protected) which is a huge asset.

[DRK]

A Lebron, Bledsoe and Dragic trio makes no sense. All want and need the ball in their hands to be effective. You can accomodate two, but three won't work.

Put LeBron at the 4 and working at the high post and elbows, finding open cutters like Dragic and Bledsoe for easy shots, or finding open shooters.

The amount of awesome Horns sets we could run with LeBron operating at the 4 surrounded by shooters gets me Horny. Plus, Imagine a Bledsoe/Dragic Pick and Roll?

Fine, you want Bledsoe or Dragic to run the show? No problem. LeBron would draw so much attention from the D that it would make it alot easier for DragonBlade.

LeBron in Phoenix with our current roster would make us INSTANT favourites for the title

[jcsunsfan]

A Lebron, Bledsoe and Dragic trio makes no sense. All want and need the ball in their hands to be effective. You can accomodate two, but three won't work.

Put LeBron at the 4 and working at the high post and elbows, finding open cutters like Dragic and Bledsoe for easy shots, or finding open shooters.

The amount of awesome Horns sets we could run with LeBron operating at the 4 surrounded by shooters gets me Horny. Plus, Imagine a Bledsoe/Dragic Pick and Roll?

Fine, you want Bledsoe or Dragic to run the show? No problem. LeBron would draw so much attention from the D that it would make it alot easier for DragonBlade.

LeBron in Phoenix with our current roster would make us INSTANT favourites for the title

This.

[RunDogGun]

Not that I think LeBron is coming here at all, but it would be nice to have someone in the front court that we could run the offense through if needed. As of right now, we really have no one that fits that. I wish we had a healthy Grant Hill right about now.

[Revived]

I think the NFL free agency this year is way more entertaining than the NBA free agency will be. Despite having guys like LeBron, Bosh and 'Melo all becoming FAs.

[SunsFanSSOL]

Knowing the Suns this is the most likely outcome for our off-season: Re-sign Tucker to a 4 year $18m contract, let Bledsoe walk by not matching his offer sheet, sign some role players on short term contracts, and draft a guy way ahead of where he was projected to be drafted. Please prove me wrong, McDonough and don't follow in the path of your predecessors.

[RaisingArizona]

Knowing the Suns this is the most likely outcome for our off-season: Re-sign Tucker to a 4 year $18m contract, let Bledsoe walk by not matching his offer sheet, sign some role players on short term contracts, and draft a guy way ahead of where he was projected to be drafted. Please prove me wrong, McDonough and don't follow in the path of your predecessors.

Blanks?

[SunsFanSSOL]

Knowing the Suns this is the most likely outcome for our off-season: Re-sign Tucker to a 4 year $18m contract, let Bledsoe walk by not matching his offer sheet, sign some role players on short term contracts, and draft a guy way ahead of where he was projected to be drafted. Please prove me wrong, McDonough and don't follow in the path of your predecessors.

Blanks?

Kerr to some extent too.

[thamadkant]

Lol at letting Bledsoe go for nothing...

You jack potted with him last year and you want to give it away for free?



At worst case, you do sign and trade for assets and expiring.

[Ryu]

SunsFanSSOL`s level of pessimism is off the charts.