The One And Only Offseason Thread 5: Dinnertime!

[bwgood77]

We won't get much if we traded him after he signed a QO. The only team that would have Bird rights is us. Also Bledsoe could block any trade, like Devon George did.

I'm not saying we'd necessarily get much, but there would be far more options as far as teams with the ability to trade for him. I'm not sure why he would block a trade. Essentially any team could trade for him, and there could possibly be teams that wouldn't mind having him just for the year if their pg went down and they felt they were a contender (Rose, Curry, Westbrook, Kyrie, etc).

But I think there is little chance he takes the QO and will end up with a deal like I stated above.

[Frank Lee]

nobody thought Monroe would take the QO either. It certainly is a possibility, but I would expect a trade lined up in doing so. Its Bledsoak's choice... I am sure he can insure himself against injury and remember, James has his back. Skipper will take care of his lil' buddy.

[Sun Scorched]

Bledsoe should take a two year, $24m deal at this point. If he thinks he is a max player, he needs to prove it and he should be confident enough in that belief to follow in the footsteps of James.

I'm beginning, more and more, to believe that our wing rotation of Dragic, Thomas, Ennis, Tucker, Green, Warren and Marcus was designed to allow for Bledsoe's attrition.

Dragic, Thomas, Green, Ennis should be enough to lock down the 1-2. Tucker, Warren and Marcus easily have the 3.

If we sign Bledsoe, that bumps Ennis out of rotation (which I don't mind), but it still means that Thomas and Green aren't getting the minutes they deserve.

[bwgood77]

Bledsoe should take a two year, $24m deal at this point. If he thinks he is a max player, he needs to prove it and he should be confident enough in that belief to follow in the footsteps of James.

I'm beginning, more and more, to believe that our wing rotation of Dragic, Thomas, Ennis, Tucker, Green, Warren and Marcus was designed to allow for Bledsoe's attrition.

Dragic, Thomas, Green, Ennis should be enough to lock down the 1-2. Tucker, Warren and Marcus easily have the 3.

If we sign Bledsoe, that bumps Ennis out of rotation (which I don't mind), but it still means that Thomas and Green aren't getting the minutes they deserve.

I wouldn't be surprised if they came back and asked for a 2 year $28 million deal, or perhaps a 2 year max which would be like 2/30.5.

I wonder what the Suns would do if Paul and Bledsoe asked for that.

[aIvin adams]

Bled wants to sign QO?



Not a problem, bros. I got contingency plans.

[aIvin adams]

Bledsoe should take a two year, $24m deal at this point. If he thinks he is a max player, he needs to prove it and he should be confident enough in that belief to follow in the footsteps of James.

I'm beginning, more and more, to believe that our wing rotation of Dragic, Thomas, Ennis, Tucker, Green, Warren and Marcus was designed to allow for Bledsoe's attrition.

Dragic, Thomas, Green, Ennis should be enough to lock down the 1-2. Tucker, Warren and Marcus easily have the 3.

If we sign Bledsoe, that bumps Ennis out of rotation (which I don't mind), but it still means that Thomas and Green aren't getting the minutes they deserve.

I wouldn't be surprised if they came back and asked for a 2 year $28 million deal, or perhaps a 2 year max which would be like 2/30.5.

I wonder what the Suns would do if Paul and Bledsoe asked for that.

wouldn't be surprised if they already have asked for something like that (especially w/ a third year PO) and the Suns countered with their ol' adorable '4/48' line

[JDLAW]

nobody thought Monroe would take the QO either. It certainly is a possibility, but I would expect a trade lined up in doing so. Its Bledsoak's choice... I am sure he can insure himself against injury and remember, James has his back. Skipper will take care of his lil' buddy.

Monroe says he is going to, but he has not done so yet.

[bwgood77]

Monroe says he is going to, but he has not done so yet.

Yes, I'll believe it when he signs the dotted line.

[JDLAW]

Bledsoe should take a two year, $24m deal at this point. If he thinks he is a max player, he needs to prove it and he should be confident enough in that belief to follow in the footsteps of James.

I'm beginning, more and more, to believe that our wing rotation of Dragic, Thomas, Ennis, Tucker, Green, Warren and Marcus was designed to allow for Bledsoe's attrition.

Dragic, Thomas, Green, Ennis should be enough to lock down the 1-2. Tucker, Warren and Marcus easily have the 3.

If we sign Bledsoe, that bumps Ennis out of rotation (which I don't mind), but it still means that Thomas and Green aren't getting the minutes they deserve.

I wouldn't be surprised if they came back and asked for a 2 year $28 million deal, or perhaps a 2 year max which would be like 2/30.5.

I wonder what the Suns would do if Paul and Bledsoe asked for that.

Probably decline. I truly think they want to lock him up for longer than 2 years - he is already locked in for one. Not sure a two year deal is allowed for this deal under the CBA. Not saying it is or is not, but I tend to think it is not because this is technically an extension of this rookie deal and I believe the CBA requires this to be a 3 year deal. I could be wrong on that and do not have time to look it up.

[Scutt]

Greg Monroe has been like the picture of health, missing very little games. His qualifying offer is also almost 2 million dollars more than Bledsoes. Not to mention he is a skilled big man, whose position is much harder to fill. I just cant see Bledsoe taking that risk with his knees, but if he wants to do that, more power to him. I think it will only further expose his fool of an agent and might backfire on him.

At the end of the day, the Suns are stacked at the guard positions, so would not paying Bledsoe really be that bad of a thing? I know I have said it before, but I would take Henson and a pick from the Bucks and be happy with that. That is if the Bucks still want Eric and are willing to create the cap space for his new deal. Henson can slide right into the backup power forward spot (his natural position) and it wouldn't mess with the development of our other young guys. Henson, while nowhere near Bledsoe's potential, can be a very good power forward in this league in a couple years. He is 6'11 and athletic with a good wing span. He grabbed about 7 boards and blocked almost 2 shots in around 25 minutes a game last year and he is only 23.

Dragic/ IT/ Ennis
Green/ Goodwin
Tucker/ Warren/ Marcus
Markieff/ Henson/ Tolliver
Plumlee/ Len

[JDLAW]

Greg Monroe has been like the picture of health, missing very little games. His qualifying offer is also almost 2 million dollars more than Bledsoes. Not to mention he is a skilled big man, whose position is much harder to fill. I just cant see Bledsoe taking that risk with his knees, but if he wants to do that, more power to him. I think it will only further expose his fool of an agent and might backfire on him.

At the end of the day, the Suns are stacked at the guard positions, so would not paying Bledsoe really be that bad of a thing? I know I have said it before, but I would take Henson and a pick from the Bucks and be happy with that. That is if the Bucks still want Eric and are willing to create the cap space for his new deal. Henson can slide right into the backup power forward spot (his natural position) and it wouldn't mess with the development of our other young guys. Henson, while nowhere near Bledsoe's potential, can be a very good power forward in this league in a couple years. He is 6'11 and athletic with a good wing span. He grabbed about 7 boards and blocked almost 2 shots in around 25 minutes a game last year and he is only 23.

Dragic/ IT/ Ennis
Green/ Goodwin
Tucker/ Warren/ Marcus
Markieff/ Henson/ Tolliver
Plumlee/ Len

Henson is not a good player. He is very limited offensively - dunks and shots within about 5 feet. And at lease according to Bucks fans is a poor defensive player. He is slow afoot and lacks lateral quickness. He is tall and blocks some shots, giving the Suns some rim protection, but he really does not bring a lot of plusses to a team like the Suns.

The Bucks think he is more of a center than a forward but he does not have the lbs. to be an effective full time center. Trading Bledsoe for him and a 1st does not work for cap purposes and the Suns would have to take more junk off the Bucks roster to make such a trade work. It would be a bad trade.

[gaspar]

Dan (Lincoln)

With all the reported disagreement in RFA contract talks between Eric Bledsoe and the Suns, do you see this relationship being repairable?

Kevin Pelton

Two summers ago, Nicolas Batum practically begged the Blazers not to match his offer from Minnesota. They did and everything went back to normal. So much of this is posturing, which is understandable -- making the threat of leaving next summer credible is the only leverage Bledsoe has.

[bwgood77]

Dan (Lincoln)

With all the reported disagreement in RFA contract talks between Eric Bledsoe and the Suns, do you see this relationship being repairable?

Kevin Pelton

Two summers ago, Nicolas Batum practically begged the Blazers not to match his offer from Minnesota. They did and everything went back to normal. So much of this is posturing, which is understandable -- making the threat of leaving next summer credible is the only leverage Bledsoe has.

I was just getting ready to read his chat today (if he has one) but that sounds like something from last week's chat.

[MathiasPW]

Bledsoe should take a two year, $24m deal at this point. If he thinks he is a max player, he needs to prove it and he should be confident enough in that belief to follow in the footsteps of James.

I'm beginning, more and more, to believe that our wing rotation of Dragic, Thomas, Ennis, Tucker, Green, Warren and Marcus was designed to allow for Bledsoe's attrition.

Dragic, Thomas, Green, Ennis should be enough to lock down the 1-2. Tucker, Warren and Marcus easily have the 3.

If we sign Bledsoe, that bumps Ennis out of rotation (which I don't mind), but it still means that Thomas and Green aren't getting the minutes they deserve.

I think the 2/24 would be interesting for him, but not for the Suns, who want to lock him up long time. They really have no incentive in offering that deal. 1 year for QO vs 2 years for 12M each, I'd much rather go for the 1 year, anyway.

[gaspar]

Bledsoe should take a two year, $24m deal at this point. If he thinks he is a max player, he needs to prove it and he should be confident enough in that belief to follow in the footsteps of James.

I'm beginning, more and more, to believe that our wing rotation of Dragic, Thomas, Ennis, Tucker, Green, Warren and Marcus was designed to allow for Bledsoe's attrition.

Dragic, Thomas, Green, Ennis should be enough to lock down the 1-2. Tucker, Warren and Marcus easily have the 3.

If we sign Bledsoe, that bumps Ennis out of rotation (which I don't mind), but it still means that Thomas and Green aren't getting the minutes they deserve.

I think the 2/24 would be interesting for him, but not for the Suns, who want to lock him up long time. They really have no incentive in offering that deal. 1 year for QO vs 2 years for 12M each, I'd much rather go for the 1 year, anyway.

The big difference is that on a 2-year deal the Suns would be able to trade Bledsoe without his consent and he would keep his Bird rights if he got traded. Bledsoe's trade value would be much higher than if he signed QO.

[JDLAW]

Bledsoe should take a two year, $24m deal at this point. If he thinks he is a max player, he needs to prove it and he should be confident enough in that belief to follow in the footsteps of James.

I'm beginning, more and more, to believe that our wing rotation of Dragic, Thomas, Ennis, Tucker, Green, Warren and Marcus was designed to allow for Bledsoe's attrition.

Dragic, Thomas, Green, Ennis should be enough to lock down the 1-2. Tucker, Warren and Marcus easily have the 3.

If we sign Bledsoe, that bumps Ennis out of rotation (which I don't mind), but it still means that Thomas and Green aren't getting the minutes they deserve.

I think the 2/24 would be interesting for him, but not for the Suns, who want to lock him up long time. They really have no incentive in offering that deal. 1 year for QO vs 2 years for 12M each, I'd much rather go for the 1 year, anyway.

The big difference is that on a 2-year deal the Suns would be able to trade Bledsoe without his consent and he would keep his Bird rights if he got traded. Bledsoe's trade value would be much higher than if he signed QO.

Again don't know if a 2 year deal/extension from the Suns is permissible, although the more i thought about it, it probably is. An offer sheet from another team must be at least 2 years.

Do not see that being a real good option for either Bledsoe or the Suns. But it is better than the QO.

[Sun Scorched]

Bledsoe should take a two year, $24m deal at this point. If he thinks he is a max player, he needs to prove it and he should be confident enough in that belief to follow in the footsteps of James.

I'm beginning, more and more, to believe that our wing rotation of Dragic, Thomas, Ennis, Tucker, Green, Warren and Marcus was designed to allow for Bledsoe's attrition.

Dragic, Thomas, Green, Ennis should be enough to lock down the 1-2. Tucker, Warren and Marcus easily have the 3.

If we sign Bledsoe, that bumps Ennis out of rotation (which I don't mind), but it still means that Thomas and Green aren't getting the minutes they deserve.

I think the 2/24 would be interesting for him, but not for the Suns, who want to lock him up long time. They really have no incentive in offering that deal. 1 year for QO vs 2 years for 12M each, I'd much rather go for the 1 year, anyway.

The big difference is that on a 2-year deal the Suns would be able to trade Bledsoe without his consent and he would keep his Bird rights if he got traded. Bledsoe's trade value would be much higher than if he signed QO.

Exactly.

Not that we're there yet - but this would give the Suns more options going forward. Bledsoe on the QO severely limits our trading partners.

I know the Suns would prefer to "lock" Bledsoe up long-term, but that seems to be exactly what Bledsoe is trying to avoid. Is his market value +/- $12m right now? Of course. But he thinks he is or can be a better player and worth more than that.

Most of us would be thrilled with that amount of cash. Thrilled.

[gaspar]

I think the 2/24 would be interesting for him, but not for the Suns, who want to lock him up long time. They really have no incentive in offering that deal. 1 year for QO vs 2 years for 12M each, I'd much rather go for the 1 year, anyway.

The big difference is that on a 2-year deal the Suns would be able to trade Bledsoe without his consent and he would keep his Bird rights if he got traded. Bledsoe's trade value would be much higher than if he signed QO.

Again don't know if a 2 year deal/extension from the Suns is permissible, although the more i thought about it, it probably is. An offer sheet from another team must be at least 2 years.

Do not see that being a real good option for either Bledsoe or the Suns. But it is better than the QO.

AFAIK there's no restrictions on this. The Suns can give him 1-5 years, other teams 2-4.

[King4Day]

Bledsoe should take a two year, $24m deal at this point. If he thinks he is a max player, he needs to prove it and he should be confident enough in that belief to follow in the footsteps of James.

I'm beginning, more and more, to believe that our wing rotation of Dragic, Thomas, Ennis, Tucker, Green, Warren and Marcus was designed to allow for Bledsoe's attrition.

Dragic, Thomas, Green, Ennis should be enough to lock down the 1-2. Tucker, Warren and Marcus easily have the 3.

If we sign Bledsoe, that bumps Ennis out of rotation (which I don't mind), but it still means that Thomas and Green aren't getting the minutes they deserve.

I think the 2/24 would be interesting for him, but not for the Suns, who want to lock him up long time. They really have no incentive in offering that deal. 1 year for QO vs 2 years for 12M each, I'd much rather go for the 1 year, anyway.

The big difference is that on a 2-year deal the Suns would be able to trade Bledsoe without his consent and he would keep his Bird rights if he got traded. Bledsoe's trade value would be much higher than if he signed QO.

You hit the nail on the head. Maybe a 3 year 36mil deal with the 3rd year being a PO.
He gets a nice pay day and knows that even if dealt, that team keeps his bird rights. Otherwise, he's got to either stay with Phoenix to get the full 5 years or he'll need to deal with just the 4 years elsewhere.

[Scutt]

It is nice to see that Isaiah Thomas is starting to endear himself to the community : http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2014/ ... ith-school

If Bledsoe sticks around, IT can give him some public relations pointers