Eric Bledsoe / Lakers

[bwgood77]

There should be zero talk about the max five year contract the Suns could offer. Bledsoe certainly hasn't earned that, and it shouldn't even be part of the conversation.

I don't even think he's earned the four year max. There should not be too many teams that need point guards, so there should not be too many suitors. I don't think the Lakers would blow max money on him this year. Kobe will want to compete immediately, but he also needs the ball in his hands, and I think they will probably try to keep their cap somewhat clear for 2015 (they have already indicated that it why they are not stretching Nash).

I imagine that even though Kobe will want the team to compete next year, that it still makes more sense for them to spend their cap space on a big, and I'm guessing they will hope to do it with a one year contract.

I think the wildcard team is Orlando. We need to hope they end up with Smart or Ennis with their second lottery pick. If they don't end up with a guard, I could definitely see them giving Bledsoe a near max or max offer.

[Revived]

^amazing post, right on point.

And-1.

[JDLAW]

Well technically the Lakers could offer the deal during the courting FA period, Bledsoe could verbally agree to it, yet not sign it, because he can't until July 8th. That would give us plenty of time to work out a sign and trade, because nothing has been signed. However, if he does sign the offer sheet on the eighth, then we either match or lose him.

Sign and trade with who? You cannot trade him to a team he does not want to go. The CBA does and the rules simply does not permit this. The Suns can only deal with a team he is willing to sign a contract with. If he wants to sign an offer sheet with the Lakers, that will be the only team the Suns can deal with in a sign and trade.

Well I was only talking about one team, so I have no idea where you got confused.

I am not confused at all, but I think you might be - good face saving. Since you are talking about the Lakers and a sign and trade, tell us what that might be. They have no draft choices to trade and no players under contract that the Suns would be interested in.

[JDLAW]

There should be zero talk about the max five year contract the Suns could offer. Bledsoe certainly hasn't earned that, and it shouldn't even be part of the conversation.

I don't even think he's earned the four year max. There should not be too many teams that need point guards, so there should not be too many suitors. I don't think the Lakers would blow max money on him this year. Kobe will want to compete immediately, but he also needs the ball in his hands, and I think they will probably try to keep their cap somewhat clear for 2015 (they have already indicated that it why they are not stretching Nash).

I imagine that even though Kobe will want the team to compete next year, that it still makes more sense for them to spend their cap space on a big, and I'm guessing they will hope to do it with a one year contract.

I think the wildcard team is Orlando. We need to hope they end up with Smart or Ennis with their second lottery pick. If they don't end up with a guard, I could definitely see them giving Bledsoe a near max or max offer.

I agree with you on all points except Orlando, but we have had that discussion in the past. LAL appears more likely to see if one of the recognized superstars that might be available will sign, but if not, they retain cap for the next year when all three from Miami are free agents and Love and Aldridge will likely be a free agents. Blowing a max on Bledsoe, assuming the Suns do not match, puts a real dent in 2015 plans.

[RunDogGun]

Sign and trade with who? You cannot trade him to a team he does not want to go. The CBA does and the rules simply does not permit this. The Suns can only deal with a team he is willing to sign a contract with. If he wants to sign an offer sheet with the Lakers, that will be the only team the Suns can deal with in a sign and trade.

Well I was only talking about one team, so I have no idea where you got confused.

I am not confused at all, but I think you might be - good face saving. Since you are talking about the Lakers and a sign and trade, tell us what that might be. They have no draft choices to trade and no players under contract that the Suns would be interested in.

No need to save face, I was talking about the Lakers the whole time, so "the" sign and trade was with the Lakers, yet you questioned who the sign and trade was with. It was quite clear by my words, hence the reason it seemed like you were confused.

As for the deal, who knows what Mcd would want if a max deal was offered and he didn't want to match it. Since it would be after the draft, it would be odd, but they could trade their draft pick, and do a sign and trade (since we are trading a player we DON'T have under contract) with one of their players, and there are always future first round picks.

Well that was fun.

[JDLAW]

Well I was only talking about one team, so I have no idea where you got confused.

I am not confused at all, but I think you might be - good face saving. Since you are talking about the Lakers and a sign and trade, tell us what that might be. They have no draft choices to trade and no players under contract that the Suns would be interested in.

No need to save face, I was talking about the Lakers the whole time, so "the" sign and trade was with the Lakers, yet you questioned who the sign and trade was with. It was quite clear by my words, hence the reason it seemed like you were confused.

As for the deal, who knows what Mcd would want if a max deal was offered and he didn't want to match it. Since it would be after the draft, it would be odd, but they could trade their draft pick, and do a sign and trade (since we are trading a player we DON'T have under contract) with one of their players, and there are always future first round picks.

Well that was fun.

Maybe I misread more into your comment than you meant. You spoke was if the entire world was opening up for the Suns to do a sign and trade. I was simply looking at the Laker's roster and there are no players on it except of Kobe, Nash, Sacre and the upcoming pick. The first 3 are of no interest and the Lakers simply tell you to pound sand and match if you ask for the player from 6th pick. They have plenty of cap space to do what they want. So it all boils down to your offering a nullity in suggesting a sign and trade.

[RunDogGun]

Maybe I misread more into your comment than you meant. You spoke was if the entire world was opening up for the Suns to do a sign and trade. I was simply looking at the Laker's roster and there are no players on it except of Kobe, Nash, Sacre and the upcoming pick. The first 3 are of no interest and the Lakers simply tell you to pound sand and match if you ask for the player from 6th pick. They have plenty of cap space to do what they want. So it all boils down to your offering a nullity in suggesting a sign and trade.

I think the only thing would be Bledsoe and his desire. Maybe he would rather have the fifth year(which could be the biggest thing) and the larger salary increases to go to LAL. This would require us to help the matter, and we would have to ask for something in return. Something similar to the Holiday trade except we would be doing a sign and trade. But that would all depend on where they draft, and who is available.

Oh well, I'm not too worried about any of it right now, and while we hold less cards then I would want, I trust McD to make good moves if needed.

[bigfoot]

We should be clear on how a sign and trade works. If Bledsoe signs an offer sheet we lose the ability to do a sign and trade. It is off the table and we can either match or let him go. If Bledose is worried that the Suns would match then his agent would try to work with the Suns to do a sign and trade. Obviously the Suns would only work that deal if they got a decent assets in return. The Suns are in the driver's seat.

There are only a few cards Bledsoe holds

1) the ability to kill the Suns cap room this summer by signing an offer sheet on day one. The Suns have three days to decide if they want to match. That would limit the amount of time the Suns have to go after other free agents

2) If the Suns are not going to offer him a max contract (which also kills the Suns cap space) they must offer a qualifying contract for 1-year. Bledsoe could sign that deal and then be unrestricted in 2015. Unlikely scenario because of injury risk. Its rarely happens.

The Lakers have nothing to provide in a sign-and-trade other than future draft picks (many years out). The Suns would not let Bledsoe go to a hated Western conference rival. This thread is dead end and should be locked.

[RunDogGun]

Bledsoe can't sign anything on day one, no FA can. They can verbally agree to an offer on July 1st, but can't sign that offer until July 8th, so really the Suns would have seven days to work out something before Bledsoe signs anything. But yes, once he signs it, we can only match or watch him walk.

[NBAfan3024]

Question is will he get max offers?

[TheSunGod]

Question is will he get max offers?

I think he does. I see the Lakers, Dallas, and another team or two trying to pry him away.

[RunDogGun]

Question is will he get max offers?

I think he does. I see the Lakers, Dallas, and another team or two trying to pry him away.

Dallas already has $15 plus million invested in their back court. I don't see why they would throw a max contract at Bledsoe, to put Calderon on the bench.

I still can't see the Lakers throwing a max contract at Bledsoe either, because I think they want to use space for 2015 free agents.