Eric Bledsoe

[Revived]

Wait, whaaat? You would trade Bledsoe for Pat freakin` Beverley???

Eric Bledsoe is a stud and I`d pay him 2 mil per year more if needed.

I'm not a big fan of giving Bledsoe the max simply cause I don't think he's better than Steph Curry, Tony Parker yet who aren't even making max money. (Parker isn't making max money for what a player with his years experience could make)

Bledsoe is in the same tier as Mike Conley, Ty Lawson etc so why should he get paid more than them?

*this is based on what we have seen so far from Bledsoe. If Bledsoe expands his game even more throughout the season, then of course completely different topic then.

I am a big Bledsoe fan, but I'm not a fan of overpaying him just to keep him.

So you'd let him walk if someone gives him a max offer sheet and has no interest in any kind of sign and trade?

If some team that doesn't really give a s**t about the salary cap like the Lakers offer Bledsoe the max, then no I don't want him back. Same as a team that's desperate to have a relevent player because they haven't been good in a decade like the Bucks or something overpaying him.

We shouldn't let some other team screw up our cap space.

[RunDogGun]

It's out of our hands right now. He is playing in a contract year, so the market will set his value. We will either be forced to match an offer sheet, or manage to get him in agreement within minutes of FA.

If it was up to us, it would be wise to get another star under contract before we sign Bledsoe, and convince him that if he signed for less, we would use money to get more talent around him. If he wants a chip, he would not go for max. But if he is just out for money, someone will pay him.

[phrazbit]

I'm not a big fan of giving Bledsoe the max simply cause I don't think he's better than Steph Curry, Tony Parker yet who aren't even making max money. (Parker isn't making max money for what a player with his years experience could make)

Bledsoe is in the same tier as Mike Conley, Ty Lawson etc so why should he get paid more than them?

*this is based on what we have seen so far from Bledsoe. If Bledsoe expands his game even more throughout the season, then of course completely different topic then.

I am a big Bledsoe fan, but I'm not a fan of overpaying him just to keep him.

So you'd let him walk if someone gives him a max offer sheet and has no interest in any kind of sign and trade?

If some team that doesn't really give a s**t about the salary cap like the Lakers offer Bledsoe the max, then no I don't want him back. Same as a team that's desperate to have a relevent player because they haven't been good in a decade like the Bucks or something overpaying him.

We shouldn't let some other team screw up our cap space.

Hard to believe you're the same person who was balls deep for Eric freaking Gordon.

If Bledsoe keeps up his current production and someone offers him a max then the Suns would be idiots to not match a 4 year 58 mil deal, especially if the alternative is losing him to the Lakers for absolutely nothing. And they can milk the clock as long as league rules allow so they can slip in a few other contracts under the cap before matching Bledsoe.

[DirtyDez]

If he gets max he makes double Dragic... Not sure if McD or even Bledsoe himself can convince he's worth that.

That doesn't matter. If Dragic was this good at 23 he'd get a huge contract like Bledsoe will.

[thamadkant]

Magic
Bucks

will throw MAXIMUM money to Bledsoe.


Now, if Suns rather spend that money somewhere else, which is unlikely but possible...
If we go with a Sign and Trade with those teams, it would be almost like an Auction type scenario.


Now, I'm not sure if those teams would be willing to make their 2014 picks as center piece(s) for the trade... but thats what the Suns would definitely consider as floor.

But I can only see the above scenario if Suns rather offer the Max to Hayward and have a trade in place for another Max star.

Either way, Suns are on a win/win situation.... all because of McD's brilliant off-season acquisition.

[bwgood77]

Magic
Bucks

will throw MAXIMUM money to Bledsoe.


Now, if Suns rather spend that money somewhere else, which is unlikely but possible...
If we go with a Sign and Trade with those teams, it would be almost like an Auction type scenario.


Now, I'm not sure if those teams would be willing to make their 2014 picks as center piece(s) for the trade... but thats what the Suns would definitely consider as floor.

But I can only see the above scenario if Suns rather offer the Max to Hayward and have a trade in place for another Max star.

Either way, Suns are on a win/win situation.... all because of McD's brilliant off-season acquisition.

It really depends on who those teams draft. If they have the 4th and 5th picks in the draft and take Smart and Exum, then they might not want to spend a ton of money on Bledsoe.

Also, I don't think Milwaukee will have max cap space.

[phrazbit]

Magic
Bucks

will throw MAXIMUM money to Bledsoe.


Now, if Suns rather spend that money somewhere else, which is unlikely but possible...
If we go with a Sign and Trade with those teams, it would be almost like an Auction type scenario.


Now, I'm not sure if those teams would be willing to make their 2014 picks as center piece(s) for the trade... but thats what the Suns would definitely consider as floor.

But I can only see the above scenario if Suns rather offer the Max to Hayward and have a trade in place for another Max star.

Either way, Suns are on a win/win situation.... all because of McD's brilliant off-season acquisition.

No, it would not be an auction. The way RFA works is Bledsoe would come to an agreement with ONE of the teams and the Suns would have X amount of time to either work out a trade with that ONE team or match the contract, they would not be able to bring a 2nd team into the mix because its up to Bledsoe who he chooses to sign with... hence being a free agent. And its why when teams do sign and trades losing a free agent they typically get about 10 cents on the dollar... and why we should, and I think will, match any offer Bledsoe gets, if we dont extend him on our own beforehand.

[JDLAW]

Not entirely true. Teams can no longer do a sign and trade after a restricted free agent signs with another team. They either match or not. No other teams can be in the transaction. If Bledsoe were to sign this offseason with another team. The Suns would be able to match it (or not) but would not be able to do a sign and trade. The sign and trade must come before the RFA signs with another team.

[bwgood77]

Not entirely true. Teams can no longer do a sign and trade after a restricted free agent signs with another team. They either match or not. No other teams can be in the transaction. If Bledsoe were to sign this offseason with another team. The Suns would be able to match it (or not) but would not be able to do a sign and trade. The sign and trade must come before the RFA signs with another team.

Yes, but typically free agents verbally agree to an offer sheet about seven days before they can ink it, and in between those two dates, a sign and trade could be agreed upon.

[JDLAW]

That is true as there is an offset, but if the team does not want to lose the player, they simply announce they will match and the issue is dead. The Suns were involved in 2 of these transactions last year Gordon which was matched and Robin Lopez in which he stated his preference to leave and there was a 3-way trade worked out before Lopez singed in which Suns got Johnson and a conditional 1st. The other problem was that the Pelicans did not have enough under the cap to sign him outright so it needed the deal.

[phrazbit]

Not entirely true. Teams can no longer do a sign and trade after a restricted free agent signs with another team. They either match or not. No other teams can be in the transaction. If Bledsoe were to sign this offseason with another team. The Suns would be able to match it (or not) but would not be able to do a sign and trade. The sign and trade must come before the RFA signs with another team.

Yes, but typically free agents verbally agree to an offer sheet about seven days before they can ink it, and in between those two dates, a sign and trade could be agreed upon.

Exactly.

July 1st free agency opens and guys reach agreements with teams but no one can actually sign a contract until I believe the 8th. Leaving a window to hammer out sign and trades. But like I said, the negotiation is with the one team the player reached an agreement with. The Suns cant bring in someone else to drive up the price because the destination is up to the player.

[Frank Lee]

If Bledsoe wants to win, he'll see this is the place and sign a reasonable fair deal. Knowing the FO is going to add another significant piece to this team, I think it is quite likely that this will be the place he wants to play. Continued success is important. Getting in the playoffs is monumental for next yrs enticement to FA's, Bled included. The Babbster will get it done.

[DRK]

Dragic's contract does not at all set the bar for what Bledsoe will be worth. If Bledsoe keeps up his current production he will be hitting the market as a 24 year with freakish athletic talent and coming off a season where he put up a 22 PER, with outstanding offensive and defensive ability. That was NOT the case for Dragic when he hit the market.

I realize their current production is similar but Bledsoe's 3 years younger and despite his amazing numbers still has a lot of room to grow. And if Dragic were a free agent right now does anyone think he would sign the same contract?

The people who are now jumping on the "trade Bledsoe because Dragic puts up roughly equal numbers at half the cost" wagon need to remember two things. One, teams never get full value when shipping a guy out on a sign and trade. Two, Dragic can opt out of his contract after next year and get a serious raise if he keeps up his play.

Hold up. I never said to trade Bledsoe. I was just making an observation about their contracts. There is no doubt that Bledsoe is more valueable than Dragic, but double in salary? I'm sure once the season is all said and done Babby would use this as a bargaining point with Bled's agent, which would net us the best deal. (My preference is/has always been 45/5.)

However, if we have to pay max to match in RFA, so be it. We have a star on our hands guys. No doubt. Bledsoe is here to stay.

[phrazbit]

I realize you didnt say to trade him, sorry if I made it look that way. That was more addressing the rumbles I've heard from other posters.

And again, if he keeps playing this way, Dragic will get a new contract himself in a year and a half. So Bledsoe wont be getting double Dragic's deal. Bledsoe and Dragic are in different situations from when Dragic hit free agency as a unproven player that was considered a borderline starter by many, compared to Bledsoe who (if he keeps up his current play) will be a blossoming star with huge potential on both sides of the ball. IMO you cant use one contract to gauge the other.

The argument could have been made for similar money if Bledsoe had been extended BEFORE the year when he was still unproven... but not now with him blowing up.

[DirtyDez]

If Bledsoe wants to win, he'll see this is the place and sign a reasonable fair deal. Knowing the FO is going to add another significant piece to this team, I think it is quite likely that this will be the place he wants to play. Continued success is important. Getting in the playoffs is monumental for next yrs enticement to FA's, Bled included. The Babbster will get it done.

That time has passed. The Suns will pay what another team offers him.

[Frank Lee]

If Bledsoe wants to win, he'll see this is the place and sign a reasonable fair deal. Knowing the FO is going to add another significant piece to this team, I think it is quite likely that this will be the place he wants to play. Continued success is important. Getting in the playoffs is monumental for next yrs enticement to FA's, Bled included. The Babbster will get it done.

That time has passed. The Suns will pay what another team offers him.

Not if we offer it first. I figure 5 for 55-60 is what it will take. Providing some team doesnt unload the haywagon. (which is...kind of.... what you....were saying . lets just hope Bled really likes it here and makes it known. I am sure the Babbler will also let the league know as well)

Magic
Bucks

will throw MAXIMUM money to Bledsoe.

The magic will draft Smart or Exum, and have their backcourt set for the next 4 yrs.
The Bucks are a mess....and live in Milwaukee.

The team I'd be worried about is the fLakers. All they have on the books is Showbe Kobe and that Nash guy.
I fully expect them to somehow put a bug in our juice.

[Ryu]

Lakers will need to sort out their frontcourt first and foremost. I wouldn`t be surprised if they throw max at Greg Monroe.

[Revived]

Is $14M/yr the max that Bledsoe can make?

Also here's one thing to remember: If we match a 5 year max for Bledsoe, then that prohibits us from offering ANYONE another 5 year max for the duration of Bledsoe's contract.

[DirtyDez]

Is $14M/yr the max that Bledsoe can make?

Also here's one thing to remember: If we match a 5 year max for Bledsoe, then that prohibits us from offering ANYONE another 5 year max for the duration of Bledsoe's contract.

RFA's can only agree to 4 year offer-sheets.

[Revived]

Is $14M/yr the max that Bledsoe can make?

Also here's one thing to remember: If we match a 5 year max for Bledsoe, then that prohibits us from offering ANYONE another 5 year max for the duration of Bledsoe's contract.

RFA's can only agree to 4 year offer-sheets.

Even from us?