If management decided Dragic and Bledsoe couldn't coexist..

[JDLAW]

I have no idea what point you are trying to make now that you are back-peddling. First you say Dragic is going because he is not McDonough's boy and then you say no, but go on to say the everyone on the roster at the time McDonough took over should have their bags packed.

Everything I have read and my preservations of McDonough are that he is a bright guy and is attempting to build a long term winner here. I have not seen anything that would lead me to believe he would make personal decisions based on whether the players were on the roster at the time he arrived or not. There are some general managers who did this type of house cleaning, but they generally do not last too long when players they trade away play well for other teams. The intelligent and pragmatic ones do not care when their players came onto the roster, only that they can play and fit into what they are trying to do.

[Frank Lee]

As I said earlier, simply by virtue of how many draft picks we have, SOME guys are going to have to get moved to make room for the new blood, and given Dragic's position, contract and trade value he makes as much sense as anyone.

Assuming we utilize/keep all these draft picks. And even then, I'll give you a few names picking up their 'parting gifts'...Xmas, Ish, Slav

There's no secret I am a Dragic fan and I certainly can see his value.... but I would say Bledsoe has even greater value due to his contract flexibility. Coulkdnt a team could obtain him and not be restricted by cap space to resign him? Can he be traded before he has been signed to a new deal ? I'm not sure of the dates involved but Bledsoe's option will be exercised and he will have the option to accept a contract, or play out the year. Decisions will be made come season's end.

I have to think, a pleasant distribution of minutes can be worked out between the two, similar to Manu and TParker. It is a tremendous luxury to have one of the two on the court at all times. They should receive 65-70 minutes a night.

[lilfishi22]

I have to think, a pleasant distribution of minutes can be worked out between the two, similar to Manu and TParker. It is a tremendous luxury to have one of the two on the court at all times. They should receive 65-70 minutes a night.

As mentioned in my post above, that is what I am hoping for. But we have to keep in mind that Parker and Manu has played with each other (along with Timmy) for a very long time by NBA standards. They've worked out a good balance with each other over many years of ups and downs and it's not as easy as giving two players minutes together. Both Parker and Manu have tasted championship success and trust each other because of it.

Bledsoe and Dragic doesn't have that history or experience. My hope is that they do find a good balance of scoring and playmaking between the two and that it eventually works out. But back court duos like Parker and Manu don't come around easily just because minutes are given to them to play together.

[Sundreamer]

I don't want either of them to leave the Suns. Bledsoe can develop into a real stud and I'm a big fan of Dragić. His basketball IQ is top notch and Goran is the exact opposite of what is sometimes referred to as "team cancer". He's a driving force of the team.

[DirtyDez]

Dragic limiting Bledsoe's production isn't a bad thing since EB is looking for a payday. Maybe we won't have to hand out a max deal.

[Saberestar]

Paul Coro

Phoenix Suns’ Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe excelling in dual-PG system
Now that Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe have finally started and completed three consecutive games, a better idea of the season’s grand plan for a dual-point-guard Suns backcourt is being unveiled.

With the past three games, there have been only five occasions during an 11-9 Suns season that Dragic and Bledsoe started a game that they both finished. Injuries to both guards curtailed the core of the Suns’ offensive plans this season, but a five-game sample shows how both have thrived.

In those five games, Dragic has averaged 18.8 points, 5.4 assists and 3.2 turnovers in 40.4 minutes per game, shooting 50 percent from the field. Bledsoe has averaged 16.4 points, 5.8 assists and 2.8 turnovers in 37.0 minutes per game, shooting 60.3 percent from the field.

“In my mind, we’ve got two All-Star point guards that are the best of anybody in the league,” Suns power forward Markieff Morris said. “We’re going to ride those guys and follow their footsteps.”

While the team still experiences its turnover problems in those games, the issue does not necessarily start at the head of the offense in considering how the pair is averaging 11.0 assists and 6.0 turnovers in those games while their teammates are averaging 7.0 assists and 9.8 turnovers. Suns coach Jeff Hornacek said after Friday’s win that the Suns often try to do too much, play tentatively or get antsy to create their turnovers.

As far as who handles the ball, the past three games have leaned more to Bledsoe at point and Dragic off the ball. Dragic was averaging 9.7 assists over the previous six games before Bledsoe returned from injury. In the three games since then, Dragic has averaged 2.7 assists.

“Whoever is handling the ball and making great decisions at the time is the one that is going to handle the ball,” said Bledsoe, who has 6.3 assists per game in the past three games.

[BurningHeart]

It's amazing how rational JDLAW is. In a time where so much thought is irrational and unintelligent, it's a breath of fresh air.

[phrazbit]

I have no idea what point you are trying to make now that you are back-peddling. First you say Dragic is going because he is not McDonough's boy and then you say no, but go on to say the everyone on the roster at the time McDonough took over should have their bags packed.

Everything I have read and my preservations of McDonough are that he is a bright guy and is attempting to build a long term winner here. I have not seen anything that would lead me to believe he would make personal decisions based on whether the players were on the roster at the time he arrived or not. There are some general managers who did this type of house cleaning, but they generally do not last too long when players they trade away play well for other teams. The intelligent and pragmatic ones do not care when their players came onto the roster, only that they can play and fit into what they are trying to do.

Good lord... I'm not claiming any of this is certain, but I do think that guys on this roster, especially ones McDonough inherited should not get too comfortable. And to say you see no indication that McDonough would be the type of GM to clear house is rather humorous because within 3 months of taking to job he had already wiped out the majority of last seasons roster.

I said I think Goran is "likely" to get moved... not that he WILL get moved, and I dont think McD will dump him just for **** and giggles either, I also never claimed Goran does not fit with this roster or with the type of players McD likes. However, we WILL have more roster turnover during the next few years, Goran is one of the Suns most appealing assets, Goran has a contract that he might opt out of in 18 months (something I think a lot of people are overlooking in this discussion), Goran shares his primary position with Bledsoe, a player who McD apparently pursued with great vigor and this is due a significant pay increase this summer, and yes... McD inherited Goran and likely does not have the same attachment to him that he does with some of his own targets. McDonough has human just like the rest of us, his ego probably is not the deciding factor in any of his moves but I have little doubt... just like with everyone else on the planet, it does play a part.

Am I wrong about all this? Maybe, we will just have to wait and see.

It's amazing how rational JDLAW is. In a time where so much thought is irrational and unintelligent, it's a breath of fresh air.

You know, it is possible to say you agree with someone and appreciate their well formed post without also saying those think otherwise are "irrational and unintelligent". Those kinds of backhanded attacks will only hinder your search for rational discourse. Unless of course the only thoughts you deem "rational" are the ones you personally agree with... in which case, flame on.

[BurningHeart]

I meant that as a general comment on society.

[sunsbum]

Right now I if I had to choose, I would trade Bledsoe. Yes I am a huge Dragic fanboi but putting that aside Eric is basically one knee injury away from being a below average guard. His entire game is based on his explosiveness and athleticism. You could argue that point pretty easy (westbrook for example) but in terms of being able to bounce back from an injury like that and continue to be productive at a pace before said injury, I think Dragic has a huge advantage as his game is based on his euro craftiness and ability to break down people with his brain not his body.

Now this is A LOT of "what ifs" obviously. I am also taking into account that Dragic has shown us he is willing and capable to finally lead a team. Also with his emergence his contract is an amazing value.

I really believe we are 1 or 2 pieces from being a really good playoff team, so to me with where we are at in terms of personnel I don't think Dragics age matters as much as most people on this board make it out to be. IMO Dragic still potentially has at LEAST 5 years of high caliber basketball in him.

One last point I want to make is that Archie Goodwin is a 6'6 version of EB, their games are pretty similar. If Archie continues to grow this year along with minutes and this dilemma actually did come into fruition he could make the decision for the front office a lot easier than it is now.

[Marz11]

Keep them both.. No need to trade them as they play well together. Goodwin's minutes will slowly increase and Green's minutes will go down..

[bwgood77]

Right now I if I had to choose, I would trade Bledsoe. Yes I am a huge Dragic fanboi but putting that aside Eric is basically one knee injury away from being a below average guard. His entire game is based on his explosiveness and athleticism. You could argue that point pretty easy (westbrook for example) but in terms of being able to bounce back from an injury like that and continue to be productive at a pace before said injury, I think Dragic has a huge advantage as his game is based on his euro craftiness and ability to break down people with his brain not his body.

Now this is A LOT of "what ifs" obviously. I am also taking into account that Dragic has shown us he is willing and capable to finally lead a team. Also with his emergence his contract is an amazing value.

I really believe we are 1 or 2 pieces from being a really good playoff team, so to me with where we are at in terms of personnel I don't think Dragics age matters as much as most people on this board make it out to be. IMO Dragic still potentially has at LEAST 5 years of high caliber basketball in him.

One last point I want to make is that Archie Goodwin is a 6'6 version of EB, their games are pretty similar. If Archie continues to grow this year along with minutes and this dilemma actually did come into fruition he could make the decision for the front office a lot easier than it is now.

I agree with most all of this, except that Goodwin is a version of Bledsoe....but if I HAD to trade one (some people missed the point of the thread and said we should keep both which I think most of us agree with) I would probably trade Bledsoe, but of course it depends on what kind of offers people would make for each.

I am guessing Bledsoe has more trade value and could bring more back in a trade and we wouldn't have to possibly match a max contract....I assume Dragic will take quite a bit less than $14 million a year for his next contract and would give us more flexibility now.

I don't think either will be traded now though...I think the league is now in a crazy situation in which good vets have less value now than they should and draft picks have FAR more value than they should. I'm extremely glad that we traded our vets for picks far before everyone else did this year, because I don't think anyone else is going to get much for picks at this point.

As I mentioned in another thread, it might even be so lopsided at this point that we flip a pick for a guy like Thaddeus Young if we think people are undervaluing players that can help people win more in the future than what you MAY get with like the 25th pick.

[DirtyDez]

Keep in mind Bledsoe was more advanced at 23 and sky is the limit for that kid as McD knows. He will be a Sun for a very long time. Has EB had knee issues in the past or is him "blowing out his knee" just a ridiculously dramatic way of saying Dragic is a more complete player right now?

I'm pretty surprised at his mid-range game which he showed none of for the Clipps...

#McD'd