2014 Official FA Thread 2

[King4Day]

Looks like we're planning on signing Elias Harris. I saw this pic on the Suns website of when Warren and Ennis arrived in PHX.



Notice the names in the back, "E. Harris." There were some more names that were cut off that I couldn't make out. I assume that's the summer league roster. In another pic you could also see a question mark after "Bogdanovic", so I guess we're still unsure if we're going to bring him over or not. I know, not as big as the LeBron stuff, but I thought it was something interesting.

Oriaki (spelling) is there too which is cool.

[jcsunsfan]

One thing worth noting:

Many people have discussed trading Dragic because he is a FA and will need to get paid next year.

HOWEVER, consider:

The Suns are currently paying Josh Childress 7.3m to sit at home and grow his hair. The Suns could easily DOUBLE Dragic's salary by paying him the Childress money without going into luxury tax territory (Depending on the moves this year). The tax is projected at 81m for 15-16 (http://cbafaq.com/blog/?p=304)

Now the Childress money doesnt count against the cap, however, Sarver would be paying no more money than he currently is, the only difference being that more of that money is ending up in Dragic's bank account.

Makes no sense to cut the cord on Dragic at this point. The Suns can easily renew him next year, and I doubt anyone is going to offer him more than 14.8m/per.

It depends on whether Dragic's extra $ puts the Suns in LT territory. Then it counts double.

[DirtyDez]

Yet it pales in comparison to

Eric Bledsoe/Tyler Ennis
Goran Dragic/Archie Goodwin
Lebron James/TJ Warren
Carmelo Anthony/Markieff Morris
Miles Plumlee/Alex Len

Not to mention whichever player we manage to add using the MLE.

Or Bosh instead of Melo if Lebron thinks that'd be a more complete lineup...

Bledsoe
Dragic
PJ
Lebron
Bosh

Excellent offensive/defensive lineup. Bosh is Lebron's lapdog he'll follow him anywhere.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Or Bosh instead of Melo if Lebron thinks that'd be a more complete lineup...

Bledsoe
Dragic
PJ
Lebron
Bosh

Excellent offensive/defensive lineup. Bosh is Lebron's lapdog he'll follow him anywhere.

I imagine LeBron wants to flee Bosh. I know I would.

[SunsFanSSOL]

I don't know if we read completely different things in the media, but THIS year, Dragic was viewed by the media I read as a MUCH bigger star than Bledsoe. I don't know if most players in the WC at least would say Bledsoe is a bigger star. Dragic was unstoppable all year.

Dragic doesn't have the same swagger Bledsoe has though, which is what a lot of players (and media) notice.

Says who? Have you even *watched* Goran Dragic play?

Jesus Christ.

I'm not talking about play on the court, entirely.

[Barkley6]

One thing worth noting:

Many people have discussed trading Dragic because he is a FA and will need to get paid next year.

HOWEVER, consider:

The Suns are currently paying Josh Childress 7.3m to sit at home and grow his hair. The Suns could easily DOUBLE Dragic's salary by paying him the Childress money without going into luxury tax territory (Depending on the moves this year). The tax is projected at 81m for 15-16 (http://cbafaq.com/blog/?p=304)

Now the Childress money doesnt count against the cap, however, Sarver would be paying no more money than he currently is, the only difference being that more of that money is ending up in Dragic's bank account.

Makes no sense to cut the cord on Dragic at this point. The Suns can easily renew him next year, and I doubt anyone is going to offer him more than 14.8m/per.

It depends on whether Dragic's extra $ puts the Suns in LT territory. Then it counts double.

Yep, but again, if the Suns can manage their books to be at/around $73m next year, then it's easily done. Also keep in mind, the Suns will have GG's 3.5m coming off the books in 2015 (assuming he's kept this season) and could relinquish their rights to the Morrii, which would free up around another 7m if they thought resigning Dragic was the better path. From where I'm sitting it looks like finding the money to extend Dragic won't be difficult to do.

[Scubetrolis]

If we get Lebron, I wouldn't worry about keeping Bledsoe and Dragic...I would imagine they would take less money for the opportunity to play with him. But, thats just my guess.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

This bothers the heck out of me. So, I'm looking at discount bigs I'd consider replacing Alex Len with. Some names I came up with:

Cole Aldrich, DeJuan Blair, Jeff Withey, Hasheem Thabeet, Rudy Gobert, Jermaine O'Neal, Ekpe Udoh

Aldrich would be tremendous. Blair could be a back-up PF: he gave the Spurs a lot of problems in the playoffs. The others I'm more meh about, but would consider. Aldrich and Blair would be my targets.

[bwgood77]

I guess it doesn't fit a need unless we lost Tucker, but I wonder if Brandon Rush is fully healthy again. He is a good D and 3 guy. He shot 45% the year before his injury.

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I guess it doesn't fit a need unless we lost Tucker, but I wonder if Brandon Rush is fully healthy again. He is a good D and 3 guy. He shot 45% the year before his injury.

Always hated Rush. He's not an energy player. Don't think he's a good option.

[Gorilla Warfare]

I guess it doesn't fit a need unless we lost Tucker, but I wonder if Brandon Rush is fully healthy again. He is a good D and 3 guy. He shot 45% the year before his injury.

Always hated Rush. He's not an energy player. Don't think he's a good option.

Tell us how you really feel.

[DirtyDez]

If we get Lebron, I wouldn't worry about keeping Bledsoe and Dragic...I would imagine they would take less money for the opportunity to play with him. But, thats just my guess.

Or go the other route. Rich Paul only represents 5 NBA players, two of which are Lebron and Bledsoe. Tell the agent we'll hook up one client if the other comes. Get the middle-man on our side.

[Sunsdeuce]

I don't know if we read completely different things in the media, but THIS year, Dragic was viewed by the media I read as a MUCH bigger star than Bledsoe. I don't know if most players in the WC at least would say Bledsoe is a bigger star. Dragic was unstoppable all year.

Dragic doesn't have the same swagger Bledsoe has though, which is what a lot of players (and media) notice.

Says who? Have you even *watched* Goran Dragic play?

Jesus Christ.

Dragic has more swagger.

[Sunsdeuce]

Dont know where this information is coming from but this was on hoopshype.

"But, sharpshooter Channing Frye is an unrestricted free agent, and looks for all the world like he'll be bolting to the Warriors and longtime advocate Steve Kerr. That would leave a big hole in the Suns' rotation. Deng would go a long way towards filling that gap. NBA.com"

[JJ13]

This bothers the heck out of me. So, I'm looking at discount bigs I'd consider replacing Alex Len with. Some names I came up with:

Cole Aldrich, DeJuan Blair, Jeff Withey, Hasheem Thabeet, Rudy Gobert, Jermaine O'Neal, Ekpe Udoh

Aldrich would be tremendous. Blair could be a back-up PF: he gave the Spurs a lot of problems in the playoffs. The others I'm more meh about, but would consider. Aldrich and Blair would be my targets.

One other big I haven't seen (or missed) being mentioned...and he might not actually exist anymore...Emeka Okafor.

If the guy is healthy-ish, you have to throw is name in the hat, right? Can't see him getting that much more than vet min.

[Sunsdeuce]

Another interesting piece of info from Hoopshype:

"LeBron James will have a completely different process and a different priority when he opens his free agency at midnight tonight that he did in 2010, sources told ESPN.com. Teams who contact James will be informed that he wants no less than the maximum salary number for next season, sources said. The max number is projected to be $22.2 million. In 2010, James accepted a pay cut when he signed with the Miami Heat, taking less than the maximum salary to help make space for other free agents. ESPN.com

Also, as of now, James is not scheduling any pitch meetings with teams -- he will let agent Rich Paul handle the opening stages of talks. In 2010, he scheduled six meetings with teams at his offices in Cleveland over the first three days of July. James' demands for the length of his next deal is in flux. After the Finals, James said flexibility was important to him, hinting that he may not be looking for a full four or five-year contract. ESPN.com

Currently seven teams have the cap space to offer James a deal starting at $22.2 million next season: the Heat, the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns, the Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic. "

The last sentence is interesting. Right off the bat, I think you can cross off a few team including the Lakers (yes, the lakers because they have no roster or assets to improve enough to entice lebron), Jazz, 76ers, and the magic.

[JJ13]

This bothers the heck out of me. So, I'm looking at discount bigs I'd consider replacing Alex Len with. Some names I came up with:

Cole Aldrich, DeJuan Blair, Jeff Withey, Hasheem Thabeet, Rudy Gobert, Jermaine O'Neal, Ekpe Udoh

Aldrich would be tremendous. Blair could be a back-up PF: he gave the Spurs a lot of problems in the playoffs. The others I'm more meh about, but would consider. Aldrich and Blair would be my targets.

One other big I haven't seen (or missed) being mentioned...and he might not actually exist anymore...Emeka Okafor.

If the guy is healthy-ish, you have to throw is name in the hat, right? Can't see him getting that much more than vet min.

Not to reply to my own post...but in response to my own post...Ed Davis? Too expensive? UFA

[bwgood77]

If the Lakers fail to land James or Anthony, they will not go on a spending spree for second-tier free agents such as Luol Deng and Kyle Lowry. The Lakers are keeping their eye on Kevin Love possibly becoming a free agent next summer and Kevin Durant the year after that.

To maintain their salary-cap flexibility, the Lakers will consider Deng and Lowry only if they take a sensible rate over a relatively short period — one or two years at the most.

More likely, the Lakers will target third-tier free agents such as Trevor Ariza, who is coming off a career year with Washington, and Chandler Parsons, a well-rounded player for Houston who has proven he can hit long-distance shots.

Gasol has said numerous times that his main priority is playing for a title-contending team. He will meet with Oklahoma City, Chicago and Golden State and might also sit down with the Lakers.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la ... story.html

[Revived]

So it's just between us, the Mavs and the Heat?

How much cap space would Dallas have left after signing a max?

I can't see him going to the team that humiliated him in '11 anyway.

[Sunsdeuce]

This was an interesting conversation that came through my twitter via Kenny and crash (az sports 910 radio).

@KennyAndCrash: .@ShawnFNBA On the problem with #LeBronToPhoenix "Phoenix has a great history, they've shown they can pack stadium. But the problem is.."

@KennyAndCrash: (cont'd): their new owner. Not a lot of people are talking about it. He was very outspoken during the lockout. Players don't forget.."

@KennyAndCrash: (cont'd pt 2): "He's in a small market team, but he has earned a reputation for himself. It wasn't the best look for him." @ShawnFNBA


Since when is phx a small market? It's not like it's El Paso or Milwaukee.


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