2014 Official FA Thread

[TASTIC]

I don't want Stephenson - to me he's a little too close to the Stephen Jackson/JR Smith 'talented-but-headcase' line...I don't want to pay that sort of player $10m for 4-5 years.

And I hate all his BS talking he does during the games.

He's entertaining to watch, but so is watching people trying to ice-skate who can't.

[INFORMER-93]

Every player in the league would love to play for the Lakers and in LA, but Bledsoe has already played for the Clippers, he already knows what a big market and LA is all about.

You say that like Bledsoe found something horrible about being in a big market and would never want to return to LA. IMO, the fact that he spent the majority of his young career in LA increases the possibility he would want to return. He's never said anything about being glad about not being in LA.

McDonough has stated over and over and Sarver has stated over and over that they will keep Bledsoe no matter what.

That's what you do with highly coveted restricted free agents. Sarver said he would match any offer made to Joe Johnson. And McDonough said he wasn't looking to trade Marcin Gortat. I wouldn't take what he says as gospel. I wouldn't take what any GM says as gospel.

not for a guy like Afflalo who is turning 30 soon

McDonough also said he wants to get guys who are under 25 so I don't see him leaving.

So I guess we'll be getting rid of Dragic and Gerald Green soon? Because they're not 25. Look, I think ideally McDonough would prefer to get a player meeting those parameters. But I don't think he's going to restrict himself to that criteria. A guy like Afflalo would make a lot sense. He only has two years left on his deal and the last of those years isn't even guaranteed.

Obviously we're not at the talent level of these teams yet, but we've already got 2 very good guards who can handle the scoring and ball handling, so I would focus our attention on getting some help down low and improving the depth instead of blowing our money on a guy like Hayward.

You can't just gloss over that bolded part. And I wasn't advocating Hayward necessarily, I was just saying the Suns could use something more than a 3&D guy at the 3 spot. I don't care if it's at the 3, 4, or 5 spot; the Suns need another scorer.

[SunsFanSSOL]

not for a guy like Afflalo who is turning 30 soon

McDonough also said he wants to get guys who are under 25 so I don't see him leaving.

So I guess we'll be getting rid of Dragic and Gerald Green soon? Because they're not 25. Look, I think ideally McDonough would prefer to get a player meeting those parameters. But I don't think he's going to restrict himself to that criteria. A guy like Afflalo would make a lot sense. He only has two years left on his deal and the last of those years isn't even guaranteed.

To be honest, I think McDonough gets rid of Dragic before he gets rid of Bledsoe.

[INFORMER-93]

I could see him doing that, but it doesn't make it right or smart.

[Ring_Wanted]

That's been a concern since day one of his regime. I think he'd make a mistake if he went with Bledsoe instead of Dragic. I've bought into the two PG system tho.

[RunDogGun]

not for a guy like Afflalo who is turning 30 soon

McDonough also said he wants to get guys who are under 25 so I don't see him leaving.

So I guess we'll be getting rid of Dragic and Gerald Green soon? Because they're not 25. Look, I think ideally McDonough would prefer to get a player meeting those parameters. But I don't think he's going to restrict himself to that criteria. A guy like Afflalo would make a lot sense. He only has two years left on his deal and the last of those years isn't even guaranteed.

To be honest, I think McDonough gets rid of Dragic before he gets rid of Bledsoe.

Why?

[SunsFanSSOL]

So I guess we'll be getting rid of Dragic and Gerald Green soon? Because they're not 25. Look, I think ideally McDonough would prefer to get a player meeting those parameters. But I don't think he's going to restrict himself to that criteria. A guy like Afflalo would make a lot sense. He only has two years left on his deal and the last of those years isn't even guaranteed.

To be honest, I think McDonough gets rid of Dragic before he gets rid of Bledsoe.

Why?

He's younger, he's McDonough's guy, he's the biggest name on this team. But mostly because he's younger and more likely to be locked up long term, when Dragic will be nearing 30 around his next contract. We don't know if we have a Nash type situation where Dragic is just going to improve with age. If Bledsoe improves to the 20 ppg, 7 apg range next season I could see Dragic getting traded for the right deal while he's still on a great contract and his value is high.

[Ring_Wanted]

I believe age won't matter with Dragic as much as it seems. His game is not predicated on straight athleticism, but smarts and craftiness and above all he's been a late bloomer and has not played a ton of NBA minutes so far.

Granted, he's played international tournaments but I think he can easily live up to another contract, and I wish McD sees it the same way.

[RunDogGun]

Younger, so what? With one bad knee. At this point, we don't even know what Bled can do right now, let alone assume what McD would do. Goran seems to fit Jeff's system very well. McD isn't stupid.

[SunsFanSSOL]

Younger, so what? With one bad knee. At this point, we don't even know what Bled can do right now, let alone assume what McD would do. Goran seems to fit Jeff's system very well. McD isn't stupid.

Sarver did say that he doesn't need to see Bledsoe play again this season to know he wants to lock him up long term. I'm sure Bledsoe's injury will factor in the contract negotiations though. Ideally, we will want to keep both for the long term.

[RunDogGun]

Younger, so what? With one bad knee. At this point, we don't even know what Bled can do right now, let alone assume what McD would do. Goran seems to fit Jeff's system very well. McD isn't stupid.

Sarver did say that he doesn't need to see Bledsoe play again this season to know he wants to lock him up long term. I'm sure Bledsoe's injury will factor in the contract negotiations though. Ideally, we will want to keep both for the long term.

I don't know why, but I don't put much stock in what Sarver says. Ideally we keep both, and both can stay healthy under decent contracts.

[In2ition]

Younger, so what? With one bad knee. At this point, we don't even know what Bled can do right now, let alone assume what McD would do. Goran seems to fit Jeff's system very well. McD isn't stupid.

Sarver did say that he doesn't need to see Bledsoe play again this season to know he wants to lock him up long term. I'm sure Bledsoe's injury will factor in the contract negotiations though. Ideally, we will want to keep both for the long term.

I don't know why, but I don't put much stock in what Sarver says. Ideally we keep both, and both can stay healthy under decent contracts.

I agree, ideally. You want to screw them over in some way, while you make yourself better long term. Do you match to do it and keep them from getting a player that can make the difference for them, while keeping your team good and push for great? Or do you work out a sign and trade with them to get another asset from them, while they continue to be bogged down on the cap hit with Kobe and Bledsoe's contract, while your own draft picks could end up being better long term for the Suns and find their own free-agent Super Star or trade for one?

[bwgood77]

Sarver did say that he doesn't need to see Bledsoe play again this season to know he wants to lock him up long term. I'm sure Bledsoe's injury will factor in the contract negotiations though. Ideally, we will want to keep both for the long term.

I don't know why, but I don't put much stock in what Sarver says. Ideally we keep both, and both can stay healthy under decent contracts.

I agree, ideally. You want to screw them over in some way, while you make yourself better long term. Do you match to do it and keep them from getting a player that can make the difference for them, while keeping your team good and push for great? Or do you work out a sign and trade with them to get another asset from them, while they continue to be bogged down on the cap hit with Kobe and Bledsoe's contract, while your own draft picks could end up being better long term for the Suns and find their own free-agent Super Star or trade for one?

They don't even have anyone under contract for a S&T. Only Kobe and Nash are under contract for next year.

[In2ition]

I don't know why, but I don't put much stock in what Sarver says. Ideally we keep both, and both can stay healthy under decent contracts.

I agree, ideally. You want to screw them over in some way, while you make yourself better long term. Do you match to do it and keep them from getting a player that can make the difference for them, while keeping your team good and push for great? Or do you work out a sign and trade with them to get another asset from them, while they continue to be bogged down on the cap hit with Kobe and Bledsoe's contract, while your own draft picks could end up being better long term for the Suns and find their own free-agent Super Star or trade for one?

They don't even have anyone under contract for a S&T. Only Kobe and Nash are under contract for next year.

Ok, forgive me, I thought they could still do a sign and trade without giving up a player, because they would be under the cap. If I'm wrong, let me know. I'll own it.

[carey]

Ok, forgive me, I thought they could still do a sign and trade without giving up a player, because they would be under the cap. If I'm wrong, let me know. I'll own it.

You're not wrong. The problem is the only assets they'd be able to send out are picks and since we already have their 2015 pick what do they send? The only time a team can't do a S&T is when they are in the luxury tax and they can actually still do it if they some how get under the tax after the trade.

[In2ition]

Ok, forgive me, I thought they could still do a sign and trade without giving up a player, because they would be under the cap. If I'm wrong, let me know. I'll own it.

You're not wrong. The problem is the only assets they'd be able to send out are picks and since we already have their 2015 pick what do they send? The only time a team can't do a S&T is when they are in the luxury tax and they can actually still do it if they some how get under the tax after the trade.

I guess they could trade away their 2017, 2019 picks with no restrictions. And if they hadn't signed their 2014 pick, they could trade that too. Take as many assets and future assets as they have.

I'm not saying that the Suns should do that. I'm just saying that is an option.

[bwgood77]

Yeah, I guess theoretically you are not wrong and we could ask for a 2017 pick or something.

[gaspar]

They still owe a 1st round pick to Orlando for D12.

[Ring_Wanted]

Ok, forgive me, I thought they could still do a sign and trade without giving up a player, because they would be under the cap. If I'm wrong, let me know. I'll own it.

You're not wrong. The problem is the only assets they'd be able to send out are picks and since we already have their 2015 pick what do they send? The only time a team can't do a S&T is when they are in the luxury tax and they can actually still do it if they some how get under the tax after the trade.

They can send out the rights to their 2014 draftee. If they miss out on the prospect they want, they may be amenable to turning him into Bledsoe, and if it is somebody who fits, I'd listen.

[Saberestar]

After All-Star snub, Lance Stephenson ready to "kill everyone who is in front of me."
BY STEFAN BONDY

INDIANAPOLIS – Lance Stephenson plays with an undeniable edge, a frenzied style that feeds on emotion. He says it’s a product of growing up in Brooklyn, where players carry a “feeling that nobody can stop them on the floor.”

Heading into tonight’s game against the Nets – and with the All-Star snub still boiling in his mind -- the 23-year-old Lincoln High graduate told the Daily News he’s motivated to unleash his anger on Joe Johnson and the Nets.

“I already had a chip on my shoulder and it made me even worse,” Stephenson said about not making the Eastern Conference reserves. “Now I’m going to kill everybody who is in front of me.”

Stephenson, who is averaging 14.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists for the best team in the league, was first informed of the All-Star rejection by Pacers coach Frank Vogel prior to Thursday’s game against the Suns.

He followed up with a triple-double.

Tonight, Stephenson will go head-to-head with the last player chosen above him, Johnson, who himself admitted to being surprised at his selection.

If sustained, Johnson’s 15.6 points per game would be his lowest in 11 seasons.

“Like I said, whoever made it in front of me or whoever is in my position who people think whose in front of me, I’m definitely going to go after them,” Stephenson said. “You’ll definitely see that tonight – me going after (Johnson).”

Despite his anger towards the All-Star snub, Stephenson said he understands that he’s young and there’s a new selection every year. He has a chance to be the best player to come out of Lincoln, even after all that hype for Stephon Marbury and Sebastian Telfair.

He arrived to the NBA with baggage and, as he put it Saturday, “a lot of negativity." Concerns about Stephenson's character dropped him into the second round of the draft. But he found haven in Indiana, fostering a strong relationship with GM Larry Bird and progressing into a vital part of a championship contender. Before our interview Saturday, Stephenson put up practice shots for 30 minutes after his teammates cleared out.

“All-Stars is always going to be there,” he said. “If I keep working hard, I’ll get that opportunity and that chance. “

The All-Star reserves were chosen by the Eastern Conference coaches, and there’s a perception that Stephenson’s cocky style didn’t sit well with the voters.

But that isn’t going to change Stephenson. This is somebody who, even before he was established as a rotation player, gave the choke sign to LeBron James.

He has since hounded and annoyed James with trash-talking.

“You can’t fear no one,” Stephenson said. “When you’re on the floor, (James) bleeds the same way as you and you know how hard you work. Just because he’s a little bit bigger and a little bit quicker, that doesn’t make you scared of him. You got to bring your talent and play hard at all times.”

I think this guy is in Marbury's world....