2014 Official FA Thread

[BobbieL]

I think Wade opts in, he won't get that money again. He is worth significantly less than both Bosh and Lebron, but he's gonna want the same dollar amount as them. It's entirely not fair to Bosh and Lebron (especially) and I don't see him leaving that money. No clue what Bosh is doing. But if we miss out on Love sweepstakes, I'd welcome Bosh and Lebron to Phoenix.

It is a given that Wade is opting in. I think he is guaranteed like 55-60m for the next three years. Nobody is giving him that money. I doubt even the Heat would re-sign him if he opted out - even at a lower salary to sign Melo. Maybe they would.

As for LeBron - get the power point ready.

[Scubetrolis]

gosh....when we get Lebron, think of all the jerseys we will wear next year!

i promise you will see every single jersey we have ever worn used during games...along with a new one. how exciting.

[gaspar]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/RealGM/status/481447369834102785[/tweet]

[PassWarden]

Did I read that correctly? We can pay Lebron and Melo max money while retaining Dragic and Bledsoe?

[gaspar]

Only Dragic. No Bledsoe, Tucker, Frye and draft picks this year.

[PassWarden]

Don't we have a window though where we essentially can re-sign Bledsoe even if it means we go over the cap? What if we signed Lebron and Melo first, and then we either signed or match an offer sheet for Bledsoe?

[BobbieL]

Did I read that correctly? We can pay Lebron and Melo max money while retaining Dragic and Bledsoe?

you do it in the right order - yes
but I think the Suns would have to sign and trade for one of them to get full max value
and then sign Bledsoe

That would be pretty good with both of them - but I will take one of them that's for sure

Wonder if the Knicks or Heat would take the Morris Twins, Len and the Lakers pick for either guy?

[BobbieL]

Only Dragic. No Bledsoe, Tucker, Frye and draft picks this year.

Based on only getting 1.96 - so that's not a full two - would need to do a sign and trade anyway, The Morris twins and Len are $11m of dollars - granted, the other team would need to accept. But if you include that Lakers pick next year, maybe Goodwin - I think one of those two teams would take it over not getting anything.

[JJ13]

Nate Jones
‏@JonesOnTheNBA
Phoenix RT @DJerome14: @JonesOnTheNBA Even if it`s not realistic where do you think Lebron fits best basketball wise?

Nate Jones @JonesOnTheNBA · 12m
Bledsoe and LeBron trying to link somewhere is something I'd keep my eye on too.

[phx#7]

Only Dragic. No Bledsoe, Tucker, Frye and draft picks this year.

Based on only getting 1.96 - so that's not a full two - would need to do a sign and trade anyway, The Morris twins and Len are $11m of dollars - granted, the other team would need to accept. But if you include that Lakers pick next year, maybe Goodwin - I think one of those two teams would take it over not getting anything.

There are lots of ways the Suns could clear the capspace needed and still retain Bledsoe. They can trade players for straight cap or use the stretch provision. I don't think it would be completely necessary though, LeBron has already taken a bit less than the max once to help field a better team and Melo has lived through a team that was weakened by giving him his absolute max.

Not that I think it's a realistic option, and really the only reason I'd sign Melo would be if that was the cost of signing LeBron.

[Sunsdeuce]

Thanks for that chart. Really.....really dont not want anything to do with Carmelo.

My twitter is blowing up with people talking about Lebron and Bledsoe union. This is getting out of hand.

[BobbieL]

Only Dragic. No Bledsoe, Tucker, Frye and draft picks this year.

Based on only getting 1.96 - so that's not a full two - would need to do a sign and trade anyway, The Morris twins and Len are $11m of dollars - granted, the other team would need to accept. But if you include that Lakers pick next year, maybe Goodwin - I think one of those two teams would take it over not getting anything.

There are lots of ways the Suns could clear the capspace needed and still retain Bledsoe. They can trade players for straight cap or use the stretch provision. I don't think it would be completely necessary though, LeBron has already taken a bit less than the max once to help field a better team and Melo has lived through a team that was weakened by giving him his absolute max.

Not that I think it's a realistic option, and really the only reason I'd sign Melo would be if that was the cost of signing LeBron.

Suns can move pieces IF LeBron wants to be a Sun. Won't need Melo if you have LeBron, Bledsoe and Dragic

[Sunsdeuce]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/paulcalvisi/status/481452178880483331[/tweet]

Let the Lebron circus begin. I kinda dont want anything to do with it.

Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[ShawnBronald]

I think Bledsoe has to be the one to contact LeBron about coming here. It's the same way Wade orchestrated the Big Three in Miami. Remember, when LeBron last became a free agent, everyone believed he was going to New York. Then there were some brief rumblings about he and Wade teaming up in Chicago. Then more and more people believed he would stay put in Cleveland. Finally, after Wade and Bosh and agree to sign with Miami, that suddenly became a realistic option. Even after that, I think it caught some people off-guard.

Right now people don't look at Phoenix realistically for one reason or another, but when it comes down to it, Phoenix (behind Miami) makes the absolute most sense. When you factor in basketball reasons (great supporting cast) and personal reasons (friendship with Bledsoe), it's amazing we're not talked about more.

All that said, I don't expect LeBron to be wearing a Suns uniform next season, but I also wouldn't be at all surprised if it happened. This should be another fun and exciting off-season for Phoenix fans, one way or the other.

[BobbieL]

Nate Jones
‏@JonesOnTheNBA
Phoenix RT @DJerome14: @JonesOnTheNBA Even if it`s not realistic where do you think Lebron fits best basketball wise?

Nate Jones @JonesOnTheNBA · 12m
Bledsoe and LeBron trying to link somewhere is something I'd keep my eye on too.

Very interesting - but that would mean playing in Phoenix as I do not think the Heat can get Bledsoe unless he takes the one year QO for a minimum amount.

Its a pipe dream - but why not smoke it for all its worth. LeBron in Phoenix

[phx#7]

Suns can move pieces IF LeBron wants to be a Sun. Won't need Melo if you have LeBron, Bledsoe and Dragic

My point was the only reason I'd want to sign Melo is if that was a condition set by LeBron. There are rumors that LeBron and Melo want to team up.

[BobbieL]

Suns can move pieces IF LeBron wants to be a Sun. Won't need Melo if you have LeBron, Bledsoe and Dragic

My point was the only reason I'd want to sign Melo is if that was a condition set by LeBron. There are rumors that LeBron and Melo want to team up.

Gotcha - maybe LeBron wants Wade and Bosh out; Melo and Bledsoe in.

The Knicks could take back the Morris Twins and Green - all expiring contracts - plus the Lakers pick next year and Suns picks - for Anthony

I don't think it will be a problem to get under the cap and not move Dragic to get Melo and LeBron

[ShawnBronald]

How is market size determined? I know that places like Los Angeles and New York are considered "big" markets. But what are places like Chicago, Houston and Miami considered? If there are only small, medium and large markets, I'd have to consider Phoenix a medium market. And prior to (and maybe even after) LeBron signing with Miami, I'd have to think they were a medium market. So if any of that's true, I don't see why Phoenix should be discredited merely due to that factor. Also, with markets in mind, doesn't our proximity to Los Angeles count for anything? Maybe that's completely off-topic, but I keep seeing people say, "Free Agent A can't go to Destination B because they're not a big market team."

[JJ13]

I woke up thinking there was about 0% Lebron comes to Phoenix...after reading a few tweets, I am 80% sure he is coming here. I am terrible at the internet.

[McStunna]

I for one welcome our new Lebron overlord.

Not going out on a limb here when I say that I guess Lebron would rather player with Frye and Bledsoe than with just Melo?

Now if we could fit Melo and Lebron without renouncing Bledsoe then yeah...

Alternative trade some pieces to create more cap to fit Bledsoe, Lebron and Carmelo that would likely have to be Dragic or the Morri.

Sign and trade the Morri and Green for Melo ->

Plumlee/Len
Carmelo
Lebron/Tucker
Dragic/Goodwin
Bledsoe

Frye becoming a Suns legend by taking the veteran minimum and 2 rookies.