Bledsoe and Suns reach 5 year, $70 million deal

[Shem]

How is $14m/yr caving when the offer was $12m and the demand was $16m? They would have caved if Bledsoe was getting 5/80, no one caved - both sides compromised.

This is where my experience trying to get what I want comes in. Let's say if I got a job and we were talking about how much I would get paid, I would always ask for more than I really want. Like if I want $20/hour, I would ask for $25/hour. If the compromise is $21/hour, I win because I got more than really wanted. That way the when you meet in the middle on the other side (which they think), I win.

In this case you have to look at the fact that the Suns can offer more than any team in the NBA. That offer they agreed is bigger than any other team can offer. No team legally can guarantee an average of $14 million-a-year for 5 years and Bledsoe and his agent knew this. Bledsoe and his agent won the battle, not the Suns. This offer was open soon after the Wolves showed interest. Before that, the Suns weren't backing down from their 4 year $48 million contract.

You keep talking in circles about providing "sources", nowhere does it state Bledsoe was going to take the QO, what you quoted Wojnarowski as saying was:

Paul had been threatening to have his client sign a $3.7 million qualifying offer that would allow Bledsoe to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

That's all it was, a threat, a negotiation tactic, and an empty one at that as evidenced by Bledsoe coming back to the negotiating table one week before the QO expired. Nowhere does Woj say that Bledsoe was actually seriously considering the QO, just that he was threatening to take it as a means of hoping the Suns, or some other team, would give him the max.

And what happened? It worked, especially after the Wolves showed interest. Bledsoe and his agent won the negotiation as explained earlier in this post and many other times by me in other posts. But I bet you Bledsoe would have taken the QO if they didn't come to terms so he could get what he wanted as a UFA next summer. It's like David Aldridge said:

But the club moved off its $12 million per year stance

[Shem]

I'm not doubting the credibility of Woj in this instance, I'm saying it's not news.

Yes you are, but in an indirect way. You say Bledsoe had no intention of taking the qualifying offer, I show you proof and then you dance around it so you don't get tared and feathered by RealGM. The truth if you're in denial.

I'm not in denial, because this isn't the first time an RFA has "threatened" to sign the QO. The threat of the QO is not news because if it was a threat, then they would have signed it already.

No, you wait until the last minute to do such a thing. It's best way to get what you want.

What we know from actual Suns insiders is Bledsoe's camp threatened to sign the QO (as expected) and we called his bluff.
By offering his a 5 year $70 million contract after saying they won't back down from their 4 year $48 million contract which is higher with more years than any other club could offer him? That's calling his bluff? I guess in your fairyland it is.

We told him, we're willing to go up from our initial base-line offer (48/4) if he come and negotiate.

No, the report said and I've quoted this several times from David Aldridge:

But the club moved off its $12 million per year stance

They didn't do that until after the Wolves showed interest.

That's what we know from our vetted insiders. It took the guy almost 3 months to finally come to the table to negotiate. We didn't fly to Cleveland or his home town to negotiate, he came to us.

No, the Suns caved as proven several times by me.

But please continue to deny it. This is funny!

And I countered all your reports with DIRECT QUOTES from the team owner.

Do you really think he's going to be strait with the public? That would be bad publicity and would guarantee NO chance for bring back Bledsoe.

Sarver has been quoted saying the 48/4 offer was fair but are happy to negotiate.

Again, David Aldridge said they backed off their 4 years $48 million deal recently and notice again it was after the Wolves took interest. You and others keep trying to use different tactics to manipulate the facts, but it never does change them. Like I've said, we can go around in circles. I'm very curious how far you're going to take this.

He's said this before the season ended and said it again a month in. Three months into FA, Bledsoe found there was no more offers around except for the Suns one and finally caved in on his own max offer, which he wasn't going to get from anyone.

Again, the Suns caved, not Bledsoe. When you get $22 million extra in a contract, it's the player who wins, not the franchise in a negotiation.

NOTE TO ALL YOU SUNS FANS!!! You want to keep going in circles with me, be my guest. I have the articles I've have quoted several times bookmarked now since you're not getting the message when you all keep coming back to those same points. I really am curious to how far you're all going to take this and I'm looking forward to all of your replies because there will be... I GUARANTEE IT!!! I also guarantee that you all will go right back to those same points I keep debunking with Adrian Wojnarowski and David Aldridge more than once again!!!!

And to the one Blazer fan who's credibility has been questioned within your ranks, you're the one going in circles with two articles you just googled. You have brought nothing new to the table other than your reading of two articles you found on the net which contained nothing that your average writer didn't know.

This is from a well-known Suns beat writer who has close ties to the organisation.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2014/09/24/phoenix-suns-eric-bledsoe-agree-to-contract/16174127/

Bledsoe had not been in Phoenix or talked with the Suns' front office since April until he and his agent, Rich Paul, came to Phoenix on Wednesday to finalize the contract. The rest of the Suns have been going through voluntary workouts this month at US Airways Center.

It's a very vague report. It doesn't say who reached out to whom first. Logically speaking if Bledsoe reached out first, I guarantee he wouldn't have gotten a 5 year deal and more money per year. And like David Aldridge said, the Suns backed down.

[SunsFanSSOL]

How is $14m/yr caving when the offer was $12m and the demand was $16m? They would have caved if Bledsoe was getting 5/80, no one caved - both sides compromised.

This is where my experience trying to get what I want comes in. Let's say if I got a job and we were talking about how much I would get paid, I would always ask for more than I really want. Like if I want $20/hour, I would ask for $25/hour. If the compromise is $21/hour, I win because I got more than really wanted. That way the when you meet in the middle on the other side (which they think), I win.

So you're making an assumption that Bledsoe didn't really want the max but was only using that 5/80 to get more money. I don't buy it, I think Bledsoe truly believe that's what he's worth (as does Rich Paul) and he was put off by the Suns substantially lower offer which caused him to get pissed off and not want to negotiate with the Suns until he realized he had no other options.

In this case you have to look at the fact that the Suns can offer more than any team in the NBA. That offer they agreed is bigger than any other team can offer. No team legally can guarantee an average of $14 million-a-year for 5 years and Bledsoe and his agent knew this. Bledsoe and his agent won the battle, not the Suns. This offer was open soon after the Wolves showed interest. Before that, the Suns weren't backing down from their 4 year $48 million contract.

According to Paul Coro and Suns GM Ryan McDonough, Paul and Bledsoe didn't lobby for a 5th year, it was the Suns idea to include it. Bledsoe and his agent were looking for 4/56 apparently.

You keep talking in circles about providing "sources", nowhere does it state Bledsoe was going to take the QO, what you quoted Wojnarowski as saying was:

Paul had been threatening to have his client sign a $3.7 million qualifying offer that would allow Bledsoe to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

That's all it was, a threat, a negotiation tactic, and an empty one at that as evidenced by Bledsoe coming back to the negotiating table one week before the QO expired. Nowhere does Woj say that Bledsoe was actually seriously considering the QO, just that he was threatening to take it as a means of hoping the Suns, or some other team, would give him the max.

And what happened? It worked, especially after the Wolves showed interest. Bledsoe and his agent won the negotiation as explained earlier in this post and many other times by me in other posts. But I bet you Bledsoe would have taken the QO if they didn't come to terms so he could get what he wanted as a UFA next summer. It's like David Aldridge said:

But the club moved off its $12 million per year stance

The Wolves, as I previously said had nothing to do with this. They were unable to offer Bledsoe anything this off-season because they are over the cap. The Suns already knew Bledsoe would have a near max level market had he taken the QO and become a UFA, as it had been reported that the Lakers would pursue Bledsoe next off-season and Zach Lowe wrote last week that 2 teams intended to offer Bledsoe a max contract had he entered FA next year. The only reason a deal got done this week was because of the upcoming deadline for the QO to expire, and training camp/media day coming up. You're reading way too far into what Aldridge wrote, he's just trying to say the Suns upped their offer, not that they were deadset on 4/48 all along, as Sarver disputed that months ago.

[Shem]

Where is your proof that it was the suns caved?

Here:

Bledsoe had rejected the club's four-year, $48 million offer it made earlier this summer, looking for a max deal. Phoenix rejected that notion out of hand, starting a staredown that lasted most of the summer and threatened to carry over into the start of training camp this weekend. But the club moved off its $12 million per year stance and now will pay Bledsoe $14 million annually through 2019

http://www.nba.com/2014/news/features/d ... s-bledsoe/

Please note I've already posted this before. But it seems you Suns fans are only reading my direct replies to you and just ignoring everything else I say. It's funny how all of you are doing this as far I can see.

Yeah, the Suns caved. Please go in denial and try to take the argument to another place and then come back to it while going in circles like your other fellow Suns fans. I'm very curious to see how far you're all going to take this.

Yes I have read the articles and responses you and the other posters have made. I normally like to do research and have what I say make sense before posting. I just don't think we'll see eye to eye on the whole 'caving' part. (which is fine) I would agree with you if the Suns had said that they were only going to offer Bledsoe the 4/48 or else they'd be fine with him taking the QO.
However it was Bledsoe who had stated it was the max or else he would take the QO. And at the end of the day he didn't get the max and he didn't take the QO. Now did he do a good job of negotiating and compromising a fair deal for himself? Yes. But in no way do any of your articles that you post show me that it was the Suns who 'caved' to Bledsoe's demands of a max contract.

But the Suns offering a 5 year contract along with all the guaranteed money with no out clauses is the best contract he could get because no other team could offer that. That's $70 million in guaranteed money and 5 years. No other team could beat that, even if Bledsoe became a UFA next season if he had signed the QO. And again which started this argument in the first place when I said it's funny that this offer came soon after the Wolves showed interest in him. Because before that, the Suns weren't backing down and from the reports, it was the what they offered or nothing at the time and so Bledsoe walked out and they never talked until recently.

What I don't understand from you and others why it's such a big deal that the Suns caved in with their original offer after saying it's 4 years and $48 million only? But it's interesting how far you're all taking this.

[Shem]

How is $14m/yr caving when the offer was $12m and the demand was $16m? They would have caved if Bledsoe was getting 5/80, no one caved - both sides compromised.

This is where my experience trying to get what I want comes in. Let's say if I got a job and we were talking about how much I would get paid, I would always ask for more than I really want. Like if I want $20/hour, I would ask for $25/hour. If the compromise is $21/hour, I win because I got more than really wanted. That way the when you meet in the middle on the other side (which they think), I win.

So you're making an assumption that Bledsoe didn't really want the max but was only using that 5/80 to get more money. I don't buy it, I think Bledsoe truly believe that's what he's worth (as does Rich Paul) and he was put off by the Suns substantially lower offer which caused him to get pissed off and not want to negotiate with the Suns until he realized he had no other options.

I never said he did that. I don't know. What I do know is that I've done that tactic and so have others. So don't say it couldn't have happened when you can't read his mind or his agent's.

In this case you have to look at the fact that the Suns can offer more than any team in the NBA. That offer they agreed is bigger than any other team can offer. No team legally can guarantee an average of $14 million-a-year for 5 years and Bledsoe and his agent knew this. Bledsoe and his agent won the battle, not the Suns. This offer was open soon after the Wolves showed interest. Before that, the Suns weren't backing down from their 4 year $48 million contract.

According to Paul Coro and Suns GM Ryan McDonough, Paul and Bledsoe didn't lobby for a 5th year, it was the Suns idea to include it. Bledsoe and his agent were looking for 4/56 apparently.

If this is true, then truly the Suns caved. Apparently there was bad blood after the original negotiations. Sounds like they kissed his ass a bit to make sure he wanted to come back. Thanks for the info. You've made my stance on this even stronger.

The Wolves, as I previously said had nothing to do with this. They were unable to offer Bledsoe anything this off-season because they are over the cap

But they showed interest and tried to make a deal. Notice that after that happened, a deal got done and according to you, the Suns sweetened it. Again, thanks for helping my argument.

The Suns already knew Bledsoe would have a near max level market had he taken the QO and become a UFA, as it had been reported that the Lakers would pursue Bledsoe next off-season and Zach Lowe wrote last week that 2 teams intended to offer Bledsoe a max contract had he entered FA next year.

And yet many of the Suns fan are trying to say that Bledsoe caved, not the Suns. Amazing! You're still helping my argument. And with the Wolves making it very clear that they were interested instead of relying on a report that wasn't direct from an insider, it became very real they could lose Bledsoe for nothing. Again, you're helping my argument.

The only reason a deal got done this week was because of the upcoming deadline for the QO to expire, and training camp/media day coming up.

Yeah, which meant next summer the Suns lose him for nothing. Bledsoe knew he was going to get paid more than the Suns offered him originally, a stance the Suns wouldn't back down from until recently. It's the Suns who panicked and sweeten the deal by adding an extra year according to you. What did Bledsoe really have to worry about in the long run? He gets paid no matter what. It's the Suns who had to make sure they didn't lose him for nothing next summer.

You're reading way too far into what Aldridge wrote, he's just trying to say the Suns upped their offer, not that they were deadset on 4/48 all along, as Sarver disputed that months ago.

More like you're not reading it properly. This denial you and other have is getting pretty funny. Which interesting is how you shot yourself in the foot in this debate and I'm very much looking forward to you trying to talk yourself out of it.

[SunsFanSSOL]

Here:



http://www.nba.com/2014/news/features/d ... s-bledsoe/

Please note I've already posted this before. But it seems you Suns fans are only reading my direct replies to you and just ignoring everything else I say. It's funny how all of you are doing this as far I can see.

Yeah, the Suns caved. Please go in denial and try to take the argument to another place and then come back to it while going in circles like your other fellow Suns fans. I'm very curious to see how far you're all going to take this.

Yes I have read the articles and responses you and the other posters have made. I normally like to do research and have what I say make sense before posting. I just don't think we'll see eye to eye on the whole 'caving' part. (which is fine) I would agree with you if the Suns had said that they were only going to offer Bledsoe the 4/48 or else they'd be fine with him taking the QO.
However it was Bledsoe who had stated it was the max or else he would take the QO. And at the end of the day he didn't get the max and he didn't take the QO. Now did he do a good job of negotiating and compromising a fair deal for himself? Yes. But in no way do any of your articles that you post show me that it was the Suns who 'caved' to Bledsoe's demands of a max contract.

But the Suns offering a 5 year contract along with all the guaranteed money with no out clauses is the best contract he could get because no other team could offer that. That's $70 million in guaranteed money and 5 years. No other team could beat that, even if Bledsoe became a UFA next season if he had signed the QO. And again which started this argument in the first place when I said it's funny that this offer came soon after the Wolves showed interest in him. Because before that, the Suns weren't backing down and from the reports, it was the what they offered or nothing at the time and so Bledsoe walked out and they never talked until recently.

What I don't understand from you and others why it's such a big deal that the Suns caved in with their original offer after saying it's 4 years and $48 million only? But it's interesting how far you're all taking this.

They never said this dude. Sarver said that was simply a starting point, how can you not understand that? It's like talking to a brick wall.

[SunsFanSSOL]

If this is true, then truly the Suns caved. Apparently there was bad blood after the original negotiations. Sounds like they kissed his ass a bit to make sure he wanted to come back. Thanks for the info. You've made my stance on this even stronger. .

No, the Suns wanted the 5th year because if he stays healthy, he'll be a bargain deal with the cap going up in 2 years, making him a great investment as a player or a great asset to trade. It hurts Bledsoe if anything, because if he would have taken less years, the sooner he could re-negiotiate his contract and get more money under the new CBA in 2 years. As your favorite source David Aldridge tweeted

[tweet]https://twitter.com/daldridgetnt/status/514907053387952128[/tweet]

But they showed interest and tried to make a deal. Notice that after that happened, a deal got done and according to you, the Suns sweetened it. Again, thanks for helping my argument.

Do I really have to say this again? The Wolves report coming short before the contract extension is coincidental at best. How can I make it more clear? The contract got done because of the QO deadline at the end of the month, and training camp and media day starting tomorrow. The Wolves report posed no threat to the Suns at all.

And yet many of the Suns fan are trying to say that Bledsoe caved, not the Suns. Amazing! You're still helping my argument. And with the Wolves making it very clear that they were interested instead of relying on a report that wasn't direct from an insider, it became very real they could lose Bledsoe for nothing. Again, you're helping my argument.

I'm not saying Bledsoe caved, he still got a pretty good deal, but not what he wanted. They already knew they would lose Bledsoe for nothing already if he took the QO, but they called his bluff and knew he wouldn't take the QO. Even if he did hypothetically take the QO there would be too much bad blood between the 2 to even entertain Bledsoe re-signing as a FA. He'd most likely be traded at the deadline.

Yeah, which meant next summer the Suns lose him for nothing. Bledsoe knew he was going to get paid more than the Suns offered him originally, a stance the Suns wouldn't back down from until recently. It's the Suns who panicked and sweeten the deal by adding an extra year according to you. What did Bledsoe really have to worry about in the long run? He gets paid no matter what. It's the Suns who had to make sure they didn't lose him for nothing next summer.

Untrue, one again you ignore what Sarver said. Adding an extra year also had nothing to do with panicking, as I already eluded to.

[lilfishi22]

By offering his a 5 year $70 million contract after saying they won't back down from their 4 year $48 million contract which is higher with more years than any other club could offer him? That's calling his bluff? I guess in your fairyland it is.

One more year than what anyone could have offered but also more than $2m a year less than the max. It's a good compromise on both sides. ALl it took was for Bledsoe to come to the table to negotiate.

No, the report said and I've quoted this several times from David Aldridge

The report was dated 24/9/2014, basically the day the of the signing. Aldridge basically wrote what he knew at the time but we've been following this from day one, with reports from insiders and local media people who are MUCH closer to the situation that David Aldridge who's a reporter for general NBA news. I guarantee our insiders and local media guys have better insight than the one report you got off google buddy.

They didn't do that until after the Wolves showed interest.

A lot of teams have shown interest. LA were interested. Cavs were interested. Wolves were interested. The Suns never got spooked because we knew they'd have to move mountains to get a deal done and it never did.

No, the Suns caved as proven several times by me.

You've proven s**t

Do you really think he's going to be strait with the public? That would be bad publicity and would guarantee NO chance for bring back Bledsoe.

Well if you want to take 2nd hand speculation from reporters after the fact over first hand information, then so be it.

Again, David Aldridge said they backed off their 4 years $48 million deal recently and notice again it was after the Wolves took interest. You and others keep trying to use different tactics to manipulate the facts, but it never does change them. Like I've said, we can go around in circles. I'm very curious how far you're going to take this.

Again, unlike you, the Suns reports and insiders have been following this from before free agency even began. The reports I've followed have better insight and is much closer to the source than DA ever was in that report you've referenced.

Again, the Suns caved, not Bledsoe. When you get $22 million extra in a contract, it's the player who wins, not the franchise in a negotiation

And again, the 48/4 was a baseline offer the SUns knew we had to move up from. We've asked him to come in to negotiate and he stuck to his max demands for close to 3 months. If it was up to the Suns, we would've gotten it done much earlier in the offseason, but Bledsoe didn't want to budge. But who finally came to the table?

Bledsoe had not been in Phoenix or talked with the Suns' front office since April until he and his agent, Rich Paul, came to Phoenix on Wednesday to finalize the contract. The rest of the Suns have been going through voluntary workouts this month at US Airways Center.

It's a very vague report. It doesn't say who reached out to whom first. Logically speaking if Bledsoe reached out first, I guarantee he wouldn't have gotten a 5 year deal and more money per year. And like David Aldridge said, the Suns backed down.

It's no less vague than DA's report, except Coro is much closer to the source than DA. Also, the Suns pushed for the 5th year. Which would be par for the course for McD knowing that the salary cap will go up significantly in a couple of years.

[Mk0]

rofl are we really arguing if any of the suns' guards are as good as Lillard? They are not.

Dragic currently is better than him although Lillard will probably surpass him this year, Bledsoe's not but it's close.

Wait. What? Really? How? Sorry I am flabbergasted by the bold. I think my brain blinked.

[LV-Suns]

rofl are we really arguing if any of the suns' guards are as good as Lillard? They are not.

Dragic currently is better than him although Lillard will probably surpass him this year, Bledsoe's not but it's close.

Wait. What? Really? How? Sorry I am flabbergasted by the bold. I think my brain blinked.

Brains probably closed. There was nothing Lillard did last year that was better than Dragic besides being on the spotlight.

[bondom34]

rofl are we really arguing if any of the suns' guards are as good as Lillard? They are not.

Dragic currently is better than him although Lillard will probably surpass him this year, Bledsoe's not but it's close.

Wait. What? Really? How? Sorry I am flabbergasted by the bold. I think my brain blinked.

http://bkref.com/tiny/RZHvA

Why?

[SunsFanSSOL]

rofl are we really arguing if any of the suns' guards are as good as Lillard? They are not.

Dragic currently is better than him although Lillard will probably surpass him this year, Bledsoe's not but it's close.

Wait. What? Really? How? Sorry I am flabbergasted by the bold. I think my brain blinked.

Let's compare last season:

Dragic FG %: 50.5 %
Lillard FG %: 42.4 %

Dragic 3PT %: 40.8%
Lillard 3PT %: 39.4%

Dragic eFG %: 56.1 %
Lillard eFG %: 50.8 %

Dragic TS %: 60.4 %
Lillard TS %: 56.8 %

Dragic WS/48: .186
Lillard WS/48: .157

Dragic PPG/36: 20.8 PPG
Lillard PPG/36: 20.8 PPG

Dragic APG: 5.9 APG
Lillard APG: 5.6 APG

Dragic Offensive RTG: 119
Lillard Offensive RTG: 116

Dragic Defensive RTG: 109 (lower is better)
Lillard Defensive RTG: 110

Dragic RPG: 3.2
Lillard RPG: 3.5

Dragic SPG: 1.4
Lillard SPG: 0.8

Hmm...nah Lillard is better because he hits game winners and he's in Adidas commercials with A$AP Rocky and he raps.

[i505]

Are you saying that Bledsoe finally caved to take the max contract that he was holding out to take? Seriously?

Are you seriously saying that he got "the max he was holding out to take" when he in FACT, did NOT get a max contract?

Really? Since when is 5/70 the same thing as "the 5/84 he was holding out for"?

WTF mate?

Other people might dance through your hoops, but it's obvious that you are just flooding this argument with pure bs to hide your ridiculous starting premise that wasn't even true to begin with.

This is where my experience trying to get what I want comes in. Let's say if I got a job and we were talking about how much I would get paid, I would always ask for more than I really want. Like if I want $20/hour, I would ask for $25/hour. If the compromise is $21/hour, I win because I got more than really wanted. That way the when you meet in the middle on the other side (which they think), I win.

And how is that any different than the reverse situation? Suns lowballed with 12m per, then "compromised up to 14" when that was what they were willing to offer from the beginning (hence the "we'll match anything" comments [which is max 4/63 or 15.75m per]).

It was a compromise and they met in the middle. Period.

[gaspar]

[Shem]

Yes I have read the articles and responses you and the other posters have made. I normally like to do research and have what I say make sense before posting. I just don't think we'll see eye to eye on the whole 'caving' part. (which is fine) I would agree with you if the Suns had said that they were only going to offer Bledsoe the 4/48 or else they'd be fine with him taking the QO.
However it was Bledsoe who had stated it was the max or else he would take the QO. And at the end of the day he didn't get the max and he didn't take the QO. Now did he do a good job of negotiating and compromising a fair deal for himself? Yes. But in no way do any of your articles that you post show me that it was the Suns who 'caved' to Bledsoe's demands of a max contract.

But the Suns offering a 5 year contract along with all the guaranteed money with no out clauses is the best contract he could get because no other team could offer that. That's $70 million in guaranteed money and 5 years. No other team could beat that, even if Bledsoe became a UFA next season if he had signed the QO. And again which started this argument in the first place when I said it's funny that this offer came soon after the Wolves showed interest in him. Because before that, the Suns weren't backing down and from the reports, it was the what they offered or nothing at the time and so Bledsoe walked out and they never talked until recently.

What I don't understand from you and others why it's such a big deal that the Suns caved in with their original offer after saying it's 4 years and $48 million only? But it's interesting how far you're all taking this.

They never said this dude. Sarver said that was simply a starting point, how can you not understand that?

Because what you're saying is BS. Just like he said the negotiation table was open. If so, why the silence all summer. And why all the multiple reports that the damage might be irreparable:

http://www.chatsports.com/nba/a/Eric-Bl ... 0-203-2930

http://www.nationofblue.com/2014/07/eri ... CkWWFcRSCA

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2151 ... ly-breakup

http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2014/07/29 ... of-future/

It doesn't add up.

It's like talking to a brick wall.

When the facts don't add up to what you're trying to sell, I become a brick wall in any debate. But keep going in circles and I'll show you how strong this brick wall is.

[Shem]

If this is true, then truly the Suns caved. Apparently there was bad blood after the original negotiations. Sounds like they kissed his ass a bit to make sure he wanted to come back. Thanks for the info. You've made my stance on this even stronger. .

No, the Suns wanted the 5th year because if he stays healthy, he'll be a bargain deal with the cap going up in 2 years, making him a great investment as a player or a great asset to trade. It hurts Bledsoe if anything, because if he would have taken less years, the sooner he could re-negiotiate his contract and get more money under the new CBA in 2 years. As your favorite source David Aldridge tweeted

[tweet]https://twitter.com/daldridgetnt/status/514907053387952128[/tweet]

That's a good point, but a different point in what I'm talking about. Yeah later on it could be a good deal. That doesn't change the fact that the Suns tried to low ball and they played chicken all summer until the Suns finally blinked.

But to add to what you're saying in the future with the salary cap, it looks like it's heading that way. We'll find out when it finally happens. It's all speculation right now, but however speculation with a good foundation.

But they showed interest and tried to make a deal. Notice that after that happened, a deal got done and according to you, the Suns sweetened it. Again, thanks for helping my argument.

Do I really have to say this again? The Wolves report coming short before the contract extension is coincidental at best.

Right. Keep telling yourself that.

H

ow can I make it more clear? The contract got done because of the QO deadline at the end of the month, and training camp and media day starting tomorrow. The Wolves report posed no threat to the Suns at all.

The qualifying offer deadline wasn't as a big of deal as you think. It doesn't make someone ineligible to sign a contract. There's nothing that says Bledsoe still couldn't sign a one year deal later on after the deadline and still be a UFA. Again, the Suns had more to lose than Bledsoe.

Yeah, which meant next summer the Suns lose him for nothing. Bledsoe knew he was going to get paid more than the Suns offered him originally, a stance the Suns wouldn't back down from until recently. It's the Suns who panicked and sweeten the deal by adding an extra year according to you. What did Bledsoe really have to worry about in the long run? He gets paid no matter what. It's the Suns who had to make sure they didn't lose him for nothing next summer.

Untrue, one again you ignore what Sarver said. Adding an extra year also had nothing to do with panicking, as I already eluded to.[/quote]
Like Sarver is going to admit panic. That never makes a franchise look good. Public image is everything and you're buying into it.

[SunsFanSSOL]

But the Suns offering a 5 year contract along with all the guaranteed money with no out clauses is the best contract he could get because no other team could offer that. That's $70 million in guaranteed money and 5 years. No other team could beat that, even if Bledsoe became a UFA next season if he had signed the QO. And again which started this argument in the first place when I said it's funny that this offer came soon after the Wolves showed interest in him. Because before that, the Suns weren't backing down and from the reports, it was the what they offered or nothing at the time and so Bledsoe walked out and they never talked until recently.

What I don't understand from you and others why it's such a big deal that the Suns caved in with their original offer after saying it's 4 years and $48 million only? But it's interesting how far you're all taking this.

They never said this dude. Sarver said that was simply a starting point, how can you not understand that?

Because what you're saying is BS. Just like he said the negotiation table was open. If so, why the silence all summer. And why all the multiple reports that the damage might be irreparable:

http://www.chatsports.com/nba/a/Eric-Bl ... 0-203-2930

http://www.nationofblue.com/2014/07/eri ... CkWWFcRSCA

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2151 ... ly-breakup

http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2014/07/29 ... of-future/

It doesn't add up.

It's like talking to a brick wall.

When the facts don't add up to what you're trying to sell, I become a brick wall in any debate. But keep going in circles and I'll show you how strong this brick wall is.

Lol, you give me 4 BS links from unreliable websites all referencing the same article from Chris Haynes formerly of CSN Northwest, someone I'm sure you're familiar with. You do realize that article was most likely put out there by Bledsoe's agent, Rich Paul. Gambo pretty much owned Haynes in an article: http://arizonasports.com/41/1755048/An- ... ic-Bledsoe

But back to your agent making you look bad. Now some puppet writer from Comcast named Chris Haynes writes an article so slanted toward your side that you would believe that your agent wrote it himself. An article that talks about your relationship with the Suns being ruined and close to irreparable and the Suns undermining your value and how you are angered. Wow, did your agent pay this clown to write this or just pay him to print it? I mean he can't honestly believe what he is writing.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Gambo987/status/494643018062774272[/tweet]

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2014/ ... oenix-suns

Since then, Chris' life appears to have changed. A month after breaking the Bledsoe/Paul point of view in negotiations, Haynes got himself a prime gig covering Rich Paul's Cavaliers in Cleveland. I am guessing the Northeast Ohio Media Group appreciates Haynes' connections inside the Cavs players and pseudo front office.

Another indication that he's got a great relationship with the players, Damian Lillard took time out from Team USA to congratulate Haynes on his new job.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/487633918640652290[/tweet]


Seems to have a pretty tight relationship with Rich Paul, and interesting how he's now covering Rich Paul's Cavs. Why Paul put that article out there, I don't know. Probably to entice other teams to offer Bledsoe a max contract in hopes the Suns with their now "rocky" relationship with Bledsoe wouldn't match.

[jolbin]

rofl are we really arguing if any of the suns' guards are as good as Lillard? They are not.

Dragic currently is better than him although Lillard will probably surpass him this year, Bledsoe's not but it's close.

Wait. What? Really? How? Sorry I am flabbergasted by the bold. I think my brain blinked.

Dragič was a top 5 PG last season.. 20ppg on godly efficiency..

[jolbin]

rofl are we really arguing if any of the suns' guards are as good as Lillard? They are not.

Show me ONE (1) thing Lillard was better at than Dragič last season.. He got a better endorsment deal and thats it.. From the basketball standpoint, he does nothing as good as Dragič..

[Shem]

By offering his a 5 year $70 million contract after saying they won't back down from their 4 year $48 million contract which is higher with more years than any other club could offer him? That's calling his bluff? I guess in your fairyland it is.

One more year than what anyone could have offered but also more than $2m a year less than the max. It's a good compromise on both sides. ALl it took was for Bledsoe to come to the table to negotiate.

Whoever gives more in a compromise loses the compromise. The Suns gave in more than Bledsoe did. And that's because they had more to lose. Something you're not realizing. And I'm having fun seeing how far this blindness will go.

No, the report said and I've quoted this several times from David Aldridge

The report was dated 24/9/2014, basically the day the of the signing. Aldridge basically wrote what he knew at the time but we've been following this from day one, with reports from insiders and local media people who are MUCH closer to the situation that David Aldridge who's a reporter for general NBA news. I guarantee our insiders and local media guys have better insight than the one report you got off google buddy.

You make it sound like David Aldridge is casual about following these sorts of things. You really don't know how far into these things he is. That's hilarious! LOL

They didn't do that until after the Wolves showed interest.

A lot of teams have shown interest. LA were interested. Cavs were interested. Wolves were interested. The Suns never got spooked because we knew they'd have to move mountains to get a deal done and it never did.

But the Wolves interest was really known. A big deal was made out of it. Then all of a sudden shortly Bledsoe signs a deal. LOL

No, the Suns caved as proven several times by me.

You've proven s**t

No, you're just in denial. But I know you won't say Adrian Wojnarowski is full of crap because of the heat you will get. I'm sure you've seen what happens when someone dares do that I'm sure as I've seen it. But you're indirectly denying him and David Aldridge. I'm just reporting the facts and you're debating me, which means you're debating them. So you don't think they're credible. Ah oh, now it's your turn to say how that's not true and you come up with some BS to justify it. I'll be waiting for it because I know it will happen. LOL

Do you really think he's going to be strait with the public? That would be bad publicity and would guarantee NO chance for bring back Bledsoe.

Well if you want to take 2nd hand speculation from reporters after the fact over first hand information, then so be it.

Oh, so now Wojnarowski speculates. He's not credible. I knew you felt that way! Just say it dude. Be honest with yourself. But we all know you're still going to try to defend that you don't despite what you're saying.

[

Again, David Aldridge said they backed off their 4 years $48 million deal recently and notice again it was after the Wolves took interest. You and others keep trying to use different tactics to manipulate the facts, but it never does change them. Like I've said, we can go around in circles. I'm very curious how far you're going to take this.

Again, unlike you, the Suns reports and insiders have been following this from before free agency even began. The reports I've followed have better insight and is much closer to the source than DA ever was in that report you've referenced.

Right, because throughout this process, like when there were multiple reports out there that there was a falling out with Bledsoe and the Suns having a falling out:

http://www.chatsports.com/nba/a/Eric-Bl ... 0-203-2930

http://www.nationofblue.com/2014/07/eri ... CkWWFcRSCA

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2151 ... ly-breakup

http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2014/07/29 ... of-future/

David Aldridge was silent with his report on NBA TV... wait he wasn't. I guess he was following it closely since he did a report on NBA TV a few times about the issue. So don't pretend that nobody outside the local media didn't know what the world was going on all in effort to try to win an argument. I don't fall for BS.


[

Again, the Suns caved, not Bledsoe. When you get $22 million extra in a contract, it's the player who wins, not the franchise in a negotiation

And again, the 48/4 was a baseline offer the SUns knew we had to move up from. We've asked him to come in to negotiate and he stuck to his max demands for close to 3 months. If it was up to the Suns, we would've gotten it done much earlier in the offseason, but Bledsoe didn't want to budge. But who finally came to the table?

Guess who is still ignoring the reports and going in circles with hope that a new angle will finally convince me. Nice try, but I don't fall for that crap. The Suns gave in way more than Bledsoe. I mean they played hardball with him. That's why he was very upset and all those reports came out that the relationship maybe damaged beyond repair. In those situations, it's the team that has to repair the damage because they have more to lose here.

[

Bledsoe had not been in Phoenix or talked with the Suns' front office since April until he and his agent, Rich Paul, came to Phoenix on Wednesday to finalize the contract. The rest of the Suns have been going through voluntary workouts this month at US Airways Center.

It's a very vague report. It doesn't say who reached out to whom first. Logically speaking if Bledsoe reached out first, I guarantee he wouldn't have gotten a 5 year deal and more money per year. And like David Aldridge said, the Suns backed down.

It's no less vague than DA's report, except Coro is much closer to the source than DA. Also, the Suns pushed for the 5th year. Which would be par for the course for McD knowing that the salary cap will go up significantly in a couple of years.

Yep, gotta repair the damage they caused because they had more to lose here. The hardball tactic really didn't work like they hoped. However, you may have a point about the new upcoming CBA. The only thing is we'll have to see how it plays out first. It's speculation right now, but with a good foundation. But again, that doesn't change the fact that the Suns compromised more than Bledsoe did.