Should the Suns match a max contract offer for Eric Bledsoe?

[thamadkant]

If .... A massive IF...

Suns have to trade Bledsoe. And Bledsoe agrees.


To Knicks
Out: Bledsoe + Plumlee
In: Shumpert + Chandler + 2016 first pick

Why for Suns? Shumpert next to Dragic, also with Goodwin they form a very dynamic and long backcourt.
Chandler reinforces the middle whilst Len develops.
Suns sign Deng... And compete for a top 4.

Why for Knicks? They need another major player next to Melo.

To Celtics
Out: Bledsoe + Plumlee
In: Bradley + player picked at #6 + Olynick

Why for Suns? Bradley is a defensive monster, similar impact to Shumpert. I would assume #6 is Vonleh.
So that helps the Suns, they can shop Frye around.

Why for Celtics? Rondo + Bledsoe would be fun, they get an athletic center in Plumlee. They move Sullinger at PF.

To Lakers
Out: Bledsoe
In: Player picked at picked #7 + Nash (expiring)

Why for Suns? They get Nash back to help as backup PG, they get whomever Lakers draft at pick 7, perhaps Vonleh, Gordon or Randle.

Why for Lakers? They get tier second star next to Kobe, they resign Gasol or trade him for multiple players.
They prepare for Love in 2015, by having 2 players signed up and a bunch of 1 year filler. (Helps Suns get their pick as well for 2015 because Bledsoe/Bryant prevents them from being bottom 5 team, but not playoff team either.

To Kings
Out: Bledsoe + Frye + Tucker/Green
In: Gay + player picked at #8 + future 1st pick

Why for Suns? Get Gay, who they hope to resign at a cheaper rate when he expires, perhaps Gordon if he gets picked 8th.

Why for Kings? Isaiah Thomas is nice but Bledsoe as combo guard would give them a nice 1-2 punch with Cousins. They may ask for Green/Tucker to fill their SF need however.

To Hawks
Out: Bledsoe + Frye + Green
In: Horford + Schroeder


Why for a Suns? Horford fixes their need for interior presence.
They get Schroeder to backup Dragic.

Why for Hawks? They run with Teague and Bledsoe backcourt, go small ball with Milsap, Frye etc.
Would be an exciting team + playoff team out east while they also rebuild.

[phrazbit]

Knicks are not allowed to do a sign and trade because they're well over the cap(also chandler sucks). Celtics wouldn't do that trade. I can't picture Bledsoe being willing to play for Sacramento and they already have a pg. and screw the lakers.

You need to remember we can't pick the team, Bledsoe picks and we can only try to strong arm them into a trade.

[thamadkant]

Knicks are not allowed to do a sign and trade because they're well over the cap(also chandler sucks). Celtics wouldn't do that trade. I can't picture Bledsoe being willing to play for Sacramento and they already have a pg. and screw the lakers.

You need to remember we can't pick the team, Bledsoe picks and we can only try to strong arm them into a trade.

Yeah I forgot to add that all trades need Bledsoe's approval.

[Cutter]

I think giving Bledsoe a contract similar to what Steph Curry got is fair. Curry got 9.8mil this year, 10.6mil next year, 11.3mil the following year, and 12.1mil in 16-17 season. Completely reasonable contract.

It's not a reasonable contract, it's an incredible bargain. I think we're all dreaming if we believe that contract reflects the market value for Curry and is therefore sufficient for Bledsoe. Steph signed the extension before that season and then he played almost every game and exploded into the superstar discussion as a result. The Warriors got a steal because Curry had been dealing with chronic ankle problems that scared a lot of people and likely would have scared away a lot of teams if he'd let his contract run out. We're in a different position as far as timing is concerned and I just don't think we're going to be anywhere near that lucky. I don't think Bledsoe is worth more than Curry but unless the medical staff voices serious concerns, he's worth more than the contract Steph is playing under.

It was a very reasonable market based decision at the time the contract offer was made and accepted. The fact that he exploded after he signed the contract isn't a factor. He could just as easily have had another of his umpteenth ankle injuries and underperformed a good part of his contract.

[Zelaznyrules]

It was a very reasonable market based decision at the time the contract offer was made and accepted. The fact that he exploded after he signed the contract isn't a factor. He could just as easily have had another of his umpteenth ankle injuries and underperformed a good part of his contract.

Agreed but I was responding to the implication that it was a reasonable contract for setting the price for Bledsoe. Curry chose to sign before the season and not take the risk that his injuries would worsen and that was certainly understandable. But had he waited till the end of the season he would have most surely been up for a max or near max contract. The end result is that the Warriors have him under contract at below market value, I don't think that will happen with us and Bledsoe.

[Cutter]

It was a very reasonable market based decision at the time the contract offer was made and accepted. The fact that he exploded after he signed the contract isn't a factor. He could just as easily have had another of his umpteenth ankle injuries and underperformed a good part of his contract.

Agreed but I was responding to the implication that it was a reasonable contract for setting the price for Bledsoe. Curry chose to sign before the season and not take the risk that his injuries would worsen and that was certainly understandable. But had he waited till the end of the season he would have most surely been up for a max or near max contract. The end result is that the Warriors have him under contract at below market value, I don't think that will happen with us and Bledsoe.

The thing is, Bledsoe has achieved very good on court results for a total of something like 43 games in his entire 4 year career. He was a backup bench player for 3 years. Then he became a starter for the Suns and played a total of 43 games where he played well for them. In what world do you pay someone who has started 43 games a max contract? Teams that win championships don't pay max contracts to players who do not have a solid body of work to justify the contract.

[phrazbit]

But you're not paying him for what he did last year, you're paying him for what you think he can do over the next four years.

[Zelaznyrules]

It was a very reasonable market based decision at the time the contract offer was made and accepted. The fact that he exploded after he signed the contract isn't a factor. He could just as easily have had another of his umpteenth ankle injuries and underperformed a good part of his contract.

Agreed but I was responding to the implication that it was a reasonable contract for setting the price for Bledsoe. Curry chose to sign before the season and not take the risk that his injuries would worsen and that was certainly understandable. But had he waited till the end of the season he would have most surely been up for a max or near max contract. The end result is that the Warriors have him under contract at below market value, I don't think that will happen with us and Bledsoe.

The thing is, Bledsoe has achieved very good on court results for a total of something like 43 games in his entire 4 year career. He was a backup bench player for 3 years. Then he became a starter for the Suns and played a total of 43 games where he played well for them. In what world do you pay someone who has started 43 games a max contract? Teams that win championships don't pay max contracts to players who do not have a solid body of work to justify the contract.

Well, that's a different argument. I wish we lived in a world where you could always pay your basketball players for what they've done rather than what they will do. It would be a lot safer. The truth is, we have somewhat of a dilemma. Eric has shown that he has the ability to perhaps be one of the very best players in the game. He hasn't played at that level in every moment of every game he's played and along the way he's missed a lot of games too. It's a little scary to throw max dollars at someone like this but I can almost guarantee that some team is going to push us to the wall on this one. We can either let him walk for nothing or for far less than full value in a sign and trade or we can gamble on him. I think letting him go is an even bigger gamble than paying him whatever it takes to keep him.

[RunDogGun]

But logically, which team is going to offer Bledsoe a max deal, that may be in a position to draft a potentially good point guard? Next, does that same team go after Lowery instead?

[jcsunsfan]

It was a very reasonable market based decision at the time the contract offer was made and accepted. The fact that he exploded after he signed the contract isn't a factor. He could just as easily have had another of his umpteenth ankle injuries and underperformed a good part of his contract.

Agreed but I was responding to the implication that it was a reasonable contract for setting the price for Bledsoe. Curry chose to sign before the season and not take the risk that his injuries would worsen and that was certainly understandable. But had he waited till the end of the season he would have most surely been up for a max or near max contract. The end result is that the Warriors have him under contract at below market value, I don't think that will happen with us and Bledsoe.

The thing is, Bledsoe has achieved very good on court results for a total of something like 43 games in his entire 4 year career. He was a backup bench player for 3 years. Then he became a starter for the Suns and played a total of 43 games where he played well for them. In what world do you pay someone who has started 43 games a max contract? Teams that win championships don't pay max contracts to players who do not have a solid body of work to justify the contract.

Nba teams used to play that kind of money to rookies who never stepped foot on an nba court. Backup minute and 43 starter games is a pretty good sample. Besides, it's not that hard to see what Bledsoe brings to the table.

[jcsunsfan]

IMO Bledsoe is a minimax player. His injuries take some if the top off that salary. Probably $11-12 million deal in the end. That's what I predict. Sarver is already on record saying that max contracts are not nearly as scary to owners as they used to be.

[Cutter]

IMO Bledsoe is a minimax player. His injuries take some if the top off that salary. Probably $11-12 million deal in the end. That's what I predict. Sarver is already on record saying that max contracts are not nearly as scary to owners as they used to be.

It's not the size of the contract that gives me pause, it's the length. An overpay (even a slight one) on a 5 year contract can cripple a team. Look how Eric Gordon is impacting New Orleans. He is set to make nearly $15million this year and next and hasn't played a full season in years. 15 points per game and so-so support stats. Pelican fans would love to move him for scraps if they could, but who would want him? And how many assets would NO have to include to get someone to take him?

Don't get me wrong, I really like Bledsoe but don't think he has show enough to justify a max contract. I would be very happy if we were to get him for around $10million per for 5 years.

[phrazbit]

IMO Bledsoe is a minimax player. His injuries take some if the top off that salary. Probably $11-12 million deal in the end. That's what I predict. Sarver is already on record saying that max contracts are not nearly as scary to owners as they used to be.

It's not the size of the contract that gives me pause, it's the length. An overpay (even a slight one) on a 5 year contract can cripple a team. Look how Eric Gordon is impacting New Orleans. He is set to make nearly $15million this year and next and hasn't played a full season in years. 15 points per game and so-so support stats. Pelican fans would love to move him for scraps if they could, but who would want him? And how many assets would NO have to include to get someone to take him?

Don't get me wrong, I really like Bledsoe but don't think he has show enough to justify a max contract. I would be very happy if we were to get him for around $10million per for 5 years.

The most anyone else can offer is 4 years.

[Cutter]

But you're not paying him for what he did last year, you're paying him for what you think he can do over the next four years.

Not sure I agree completely with your assessment. GMs are going to look at his past history of injuries to try to gauge his future reliability. With only 43 games as a starter, plus an injury history that could lead some people to conclude he is an injury prone player, it is a huge crap shoot to offer such a long deal.

I really like Bledsoe, especially on a solid $10 million deal. There is no way any GM is going to ignore his injury history when looking at his future playing ability.

[DRK]

To Knicks
Out: Bledsoe + Plumlee
In: Shumpert + Chandler + 2016 first pick

Even with the pick, I just puked in my mouth

[lilfishi22]

To Knicks
Out: Bledsoe + Plumlee
In: Shumpert + Chandler + 2016 first pick

Even with the pick, I just puked in my mouth

+1

Essentially Shumpert and 1st for Bledsoe. No thank you and please don't call again.

[Revived]

To Knicks
Out: Bledsoe + Plumlee
In: Shumpert + Chandler + 2016 first pick

Even with the pick, I just puked in my mouth

Yea I'd think about it before even agreeing to Gerald Green for Shumpert.

[thamadkant]

To Knicks
Out: Bledsoe + Plumlee
In: Shumpert + Chandler + 2016 first pick

Even with the pick, I just puked in my mouth

Knicks is deprived of any assets.

Chandler is suppose to fix the rebounding and defense the Suns have immediately and make a run for a top 4 finish. The 2016 pick I'm banking on to be a top 10 pick.

In any case, I do know Knicks dont have enough.... but for starters, Shumpert, Chandler and a lottery pick... maybe try to bring in a 3rd team.

But in any case, yes I was also cringing when I made that Knicks bit.

[Zelaznyrules]

To Knicks
Out: Bledsoe + Plumlee
In: Shumpert + Chandler + 2016 first pick

Even with the pick, I just puked in my mouth

Yea I'd think about it before even agreeing to Gerald Green for Shumpert.

I would require little consideration, no way would I do Green for Shumpert. Not only that, I wouldn't do Green for Shumpert, Chandler and the 2016 pick unless it was unprotected. I think he's only under contract for another year but at 15 mil, Chandler has negative value IMO and the D league has it's share of Shumpert impersonators that you can pick up for a song.

[Revived]

The Cavs are making noises that they aren’t going to offer Kyrie Irving “max money’’ this summer via a long-term extension. They don’t want to deal the 2014 All-Star Game MVP, but it could come to that, especially if the West Orange product and his family continue to tell people that he wants out. Irving hasn’t been a leader in his first three seasons and he’s also gained the unwelcomed reputation as a locker-room problem. Those are two reasons the Cavs don’t see him as a max player.

“He was just handed too much, too soon,’’ said one source. “You’ve got to make these young guys earn it, and that’s where this team did a bad job with him.’’

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baske ... -1.1804428

The Cavs not wanting to give All Star starter Kyrie Irving max money may bode well for the Suns chances of nobody giving Bledsoe giving max contract either.

PGs simply aren't valued that highly anymore.