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

[PDXKnight]

There are a ton of good PG's out there these days and I'm not sure how much of a market will be there for Bledsoe realistically. I could imagine somebody offering him a 10-12 million dollar a year type deal but the max seems like a push to me. I don't think you guys have a whole lot to worry about.

[NBAfan3024]

Very young and talented you know they will.

[JTrain]

This is one of the most disjointed and nonsensical threads yet. In determining what you're willing to pay a player, you have to look at where Bledsoe or any player is going to be for the next 4-5 years. People have degenerated into trying to base his salary on what he did last year as though he has no room for improvement. This is the wrong approach. If you think Bledsoe had reached his peak, then you can look at last year and make the judgments you make. If you think there is more, you have to factor that in. Someone once said that on a 5 year contract for a young player, you accept that the first 2 years might be an overpay, the third year is break even in that you are playing what he is worth and the last two years, you underpay for what the player brings to the table.

I have no idea how he will be over the next five years, and I think there's good reason to believe no one can predict such a thing given he has only been a starter in the league for half of one season. And this uncertainly seems to be a perfectly good reason for not getting too outrageous with a contract amount.

[JTrain]

We just have to pray no one offers him max. It would put us in a horrible situation. If we sign him at max we will have to match with Dragic and we will use up most of our cap on two point guards for years. And if we let him go, he'll end up at a terrible, poorly run team that's just throwing money around desperately and that won't win. And five years down the road he'll look back and realize the extra five million per year wasn't worth being in a frustrating situation and never seeing the postseason.

This is basically a 50 win team with Bledsoe healthy. We need one more significant piece to become a 55-60 win team. And it will be tough to add that if we are soon locked in to paying Bledsoe and Dragic $30 million a year.

I think a 24 year old player who has yet to earn any legit money (NBA wise) cares more financial security than winning or post season.

Players very rarely take a paycut after their rookie contract.

I bet you can't name me one player who is as good as Bledsoe and took a paycut after his rookie contract was up.

Even LeBron who took paycut in Miami took it AFTER signing a max deal extension with Cleveland after his rookie contract was up.

Even though I'm a Suns fan, if Bledsoe took a paycut to remain in PHX, I'd say that he's really stupid or that he has a terrible agent or maybe both.

I wasn't suggesting that he would stay for less money than an offer. I was suggesting he would take the offer and regret it years later.

[Revived]

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[Revived]

We just have to pray no one offers him max. It would put us in a horrible situation. If we sign him at max we will have to match with Dragic and we will use up most of our cap on two point guards for years. And if we let him go, he'll end up at a terrible, poorly run team that's just throwing money around desperately and that won't win. And five years down the road he'll look back and realize the extra five million per year wasn't worth being in a frustrating situation and never seeing the postseason.

This is basically a 50 win team with Bledsoe healthy. We need one more significant piece to become a 55-60 win team. And it will be tough to add that if we are soon locked in to paying Bledsoe and Dragic $30 million a year.

I think a 24 year old player who has yet to earn any legit money (NBA wise) cares more financial security than winning or post season.

Players very rarely take a paycut after their rookie contract.

I bet you can't name me one player who is as good as Bledsoe and took a paycut after his rookie contract was up.

Even LeBron who took paycut in Miami took it AFTER signing a max deal extension with Cleveland after his rookie contract was up.

Even though I'm a Suns fan, if Bledsoe took a paycut to remain in PHX, I'd say that he's really stupid or that he has a terrible agent or maybe both.

I wasn't suggesting that he would stay for less money than an offer. I was suggesting he would take the offer and regret it years later.

Why would he regret it? The NBA is a job not a hobby for these guys. Especially for a guy who has yet to earn any NBA type money.

Sure maybe he cares about going to a winning team and what not in his second contract after rookie contract but not his first.

Right now it's about getting money even if that means signing with the '11 Bobcats. I don't see why e would regret turning down his biggest payday for "winning".

It's not like Bledsoe has been on losing teams his whole life. In fact he's one of the more spoiled players in the league in terms of being on winning teams. His Ketucky team was one that featured Wall, Cousins and himself and then his Clippers team made playoffs every year he was there and his first year in PHX his team won 48 games.

So I don't think a couple of years of losing will be something that Bledsoe can't handle.

[lilfishi22]

Perhaps being spoilt and playing on winning teams could work in our favor since we're on an upward winning trend. Being the #1-2 guy on a winning team would give him more media attention than being the #1 guy on an irrelevant team. Media attention could mean potential for more and better sponsorship.

Now I'm not suggesting he would take a $7m offer from us over a $14m offer from team X (whoever has cap space) who are guaranteed to suck. But if the overall dollar difference is say a $3-5m, he could potentially make that up in better sponsorship on a better team.

[thamadkant]

Bledsoe should be trying to get into Lebron's ears...

Maybe after the finals...

McD should hint Bledsoe that he will get an additional 3-4 million a year if he can convince Lebron to come to Phoenix..

Now thats worth maxing Bledsoe for!!

[JTrain]

Why would he regret it? The NBA is a job not a hobby for these guys. Especially for a guy who has yet to earn any NBA type money.

Sure maybe he cares about going to a winning team and what not in his second contract after rookie contract but not his first.

Right now it's about getting money even if that means signing with the '11 Bobcats. I don't see why e would regret turning down his biggest payday for "winning".

It's not like Bledsoe has been on losing teams his whole life. In fact he's one of the more spoiled players in the league in terms of being on winning teams. His Ketucky team was one that featured Wall, Cousins and himself and then his Clippers team made playoffs every year he was there and his first year in PHX his team won 48 games.

So I don't think a couple of years of losing will be something that Bledsoe can't handle.

It is a job, but also a passion for many of the players. Now, if Bledsoe was passing up a max contract for table scraps, I can see it being a smart move that would contribute to his long-term happiness for many years through financial stability. But that's not the case. He would be passing up $15 million/year for something like $10 million/year. I don't see that difference changing most people's happiness in any significant way.

Also, I don't know that it would just be a couple years, would it? He could end up stuck at a terrible and frustrating team through most of his prime years.

[DRK]

Passing up 15 million a year for 10 million a year, over say... 5 years is a loss of 25 million dollars.

No way he does that

[kburry151]

Passing up 15 million a year for 10 million a year, over say... 5 years is a loss of 25 million dollars.

No way he does that

I know it's a business for these guys, but if you can't live on $10 mil per year....YOU'RE AN IDIOT. I'm sure he will start getting sponsors too, so really what is an extra $25 mil at that point? Not to mention he will get another big contract after this one most likely. Sick of these ignorant players thinking about money over a championship. They take these huge contracts, and then when you can't build a good lineup around them they complain .

[Jdiddy701]

25 million is too much to pass up. Safe to say, if you pass that money up with your first real contract, YOURE AN IDIOT.

We all say we would be different if we were in these situations but when you're thinking of family and friends, it's a no brainier.


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[YFZblu]

so really what is an extra $25 mil at that point?

You've got to be kidding me.

[kburry151]

so really what is an extra $25 mil at that point?

You've got to be kidding me.

I'm not...but that's cool

[bwgood77]

so really what is an extra $25 mil at that point?

You've got to be kidding me.

I'm not...but that's cool

Two things to remember. Yes, anyone can live on $10 million a year, but the money he makes over the next 10 years or so probably, in large part, has to last him his whole life.

Of course any reasonable person should be fine with $10 million alone their entire lifetime.

But a big part with many of these guys is pride. They just want to be known as one of the guys making the max.

And of course their lifestyles are probably pretty extravagant.

[kburry151]

You've got to be kidding me.

I'm not...but that's cool

Two things to remember. Yes, anyone can live on $10 million a year, but the money he makes over the next 10 years or so probably, in large part, has to last him his whole life.

Of course any reasonable person should be fine with $10 million alone their entire lifetime.

But a big part with many of these guys is pride. They just want to be known as one of the guys making the max.

And of course their lifestyles are probably pretty extravagant.

Thank you for an intelligent response to my opinion lol. I just think if he makes $50-55 million on his FIRST contract, he's in pretty good shape. Second contract will get him most likely $70-$80. And then...if you can't live on that money, including your future family....you are an idiot. I hope we can get him for $11 mil per, maybe throw in some incentives for All-Star, All-Defensive, All-NBA, etc (not sure if you can do that with restricted free agents?).

[bwgood77]

I'm not...but that's cool

Two things to remember. Yes, anyone can live on $10 million a year, but the money he makes over the next 10 years or so probably, in large part, has to last him his whole life.

Of course any reasonable person should be fine with $10 million alone their entire lifetime.

But a big part with many of these guys is pride. They just want to be known as one of the guys making the max.

And of course their lifestyles are probably pretty extravagant.

Thank you for an intelligent response to my opinion lol. I just think if he makes $50-55 million on his FIRST contract, he's in pretty good shape. Second contract will get him most likely $70-$80. And then...if you can't live on that money, including your future family....you are an idiot. I hope we can get him for $11 mil per, maybe throw in some incentives for All-Star, All-Defensive, All-NBA, etc (not sure if you can do that with restricted free agents?).

I agree, that's about the most I'd want to pay and the incentives could be good. I'd like to see team incentives. Like if team exceeds 50 wins he gets a bonus and if it exceeds 55 wins he gets more. This would dissuade any possible reason for him to try and get individual stats that maybe take away a bit from team success.

If he gets an offer of $13-$14 million I would definitely explore a sign and trade or possible alternatives for not matching before matching the offer.

I am unsure if we can give him a five year non max deal too. I am pretty sure with a five year deal it has to be as your one designated player and it has to be the five year max, which is like $16 million a year for a total of $80 million (or 25% of the salary cap which could be more).

Otherwise the max is an average of $14.5 million a year for 4 years for a total of $58 million. I would seriously hesitate on anything over at $50 million or more for 4 years.

Not just because it's an extra 2 million a year, but because it would probably force us to eventually pay an extra $2 million for Dragic. It also could lead to some animosity between players.

I feel like Bledsoe might be a guy that needs incentives to go all out every night too. If he gets a max, does he coast at all?

Plus, he's obviously injury prone, and with his knee situation, it could be pretty serious.

I'd probably match a max rather than lose him for nothing but I'd definitely do all I could to explore scenarios in which we could use that money more wisely in building our team for the future and if we came up with a reasonable plan, I'd be game for letting him walk.

If we do match a max, I wouldn't ever be opposed of trading him (after the time period in which we couldn't) as well. You start overpaying or giving guys max deals that don't take you to elite status could be a recipe for disaster.

[lilfishi22]

Incentives is the way to go. If he wants to get the max and he's confident in his abilities, then he should prove it with his play.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Some inventive built in are good in theory but chances are the suns won't be dictating the terms of the contract. Maybe they get a deal done before July 1st but since I doubt they are offering a 5 yr max most likely he goes out and sees what his market value is. The market might be a little slow for him because I think teams will assume the suns will match and might target the unrestricted guys 1st.

I'm fine with the suns letting him get another deal and simply matching. I kinda doubt he gets the full mini-max but even if he does that contracts not crippling.

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[lilfishi22]

Can we throw EB one of these?
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/233673/Paul-George-Receives-$7M-Roster-Bonus-For-Making-All-NBA-3rd-Team