Bucks looking at Bledsoe, probably.

[Steve210]

I'm not opposed to the Bucks going after Bledsoe, but I'd be a little concerned based on his injury history. What happened to the slow re-build? I think the odds are pretty slim they end up with Bledsoe, maybe they should take a look at a guy like Peyton Siva who you can sign to a minimum non-guaranteed contract, you get him out to SL ASAP and see if he's worth inviting to training camp? The Bucks have had pretty bad luck signing FA's...very few of them have panned out, I'm not a Bledsoe hater, I just think the majority of this board have totally overestimated the guy, not to mention, I'd prefer the Bucks getting at least 1 more top 5 pick in next years draft. Adding a Bledsoe might push us right back into mediocrity. Develop a plan, and stick with it for once, if it's slow re-build, do it the right way.

[BigO]

I'm not sure kidds strange path to being hired is a good correlation to signing a free agent. Seems like two very different situations.

No one knew our owners were interested in the team until the ink was basically dry. They likely were talking with Kidd for a long-time about him joining but kept it contained.

Again, I'm not saying Bledsoe is going to be a Buck. Personally, I'd put the odds of it at about 10 percent. But since we've been on the frustrating side of these things so many times in the past with FA's and RFA's (Redd, Tim Thomas, Mo Williams, Ramon, etc) I'm having fun watching the other side's fanbase squirm a bit and start rationalizing how they'll get through this with their optimal desired outcome.

The bottom line is that the Suns are likely going to pay Bledsoe 4/$63, lose him at that contract or negotiate a S&T with some team. Suns fans can't rationalize away the marketplace, which is now going to turn to his situation.

Maybe you'll get him for a "fair contract" but after the Gordon Hayward deal (I think Bledsoe is a lot better player) Rich Paul and Bledsoe are going to try everything to make sure they get the max from some team.

It all comes down to evaluation of talent. I think people greatly undervalue Knight's talent and overvalue Bledsoes.Bledsoe is definitely better at some things (defense when he wants to play it), but not as good as Knight in other areas (shooting) . I'd stick with Knight rather than overpaying a 6'1" guard who is injury prone, not a very good passer and mediocre shooter and two years older. I think Knight will have a really good year, whatever team he plays for. Very undervalued on this board.

[MadBlueEdwards]

Adding a Bledsoe might push us right back into mediocrity.

I'm fine if we are mediocre with Bledsoe this year. He's young with a lot of potential left to be realized and fits right in to a rebuilding plan. It's not a bad thing if we get an 8th seed and get knocked out of the playoffs in the first round as long as we are playing our young guys heavy minutes.

Now, if we were talking about signing someone like Jarrett Jack with the same goal of an 8th seed - that would be a problem.

[MadBlueEdwards]

Bledsoe is definitely better at some things (defense when he wants to play it)

Your bias against Bledsoe is starting to approach Woelfel/Sanders level.

[BobbyLight]

I'll take a mediocre year next year with almost all key players being under 25.

That is the funniest thing I've read here in a while, that solidifying a core of young guys with the chance to get better (and come on, they may not all get better, but you'd expect between Middleton, Giannis, Parker, Knight, Beldsoe, Henson, Inglis, Wolters et al... half of them are going to continue to improve) would be sticking us into where we were as team. This team, even with Zaza, Mayo and Delfino, couldn't be more different than the 8th seed or busts teams we've had in the past.

I don't really care if we do or do not get Bledsoe but I agree with the idea that I am not sure where the better opportunity for a point guard would lie in the future.

EDIT: And also, giving him a 4 year big money deal doesn't hurt us, at all. Unless we replicate the stupidity of Mayo/Zaza/Deflino.

[Ron Swanson]

It all comes down to evaluation of talent. I think people greatly undervalue Knight's talent and overvalue Bledsoes.Bledsoe is definitely better at some things (defense when he wants to play it), but not as good as Knight in other areas (shooting) . I'd stick with Knight rather than overpaying a 6'1" guard who is injury prone, not a very good passer and mediocre shooter and two years older. I think Knight will have a really good year, whatever team he plays for. Very undervalued on this board.

The problem is that you are going to have to "overpay" Knight as well unless you plan on dealing him before the trade deadline. Being in a contract year, and having the brain trust basically say they view him more as a SG are two very big factors that point to Knight not being the long term answer at PG.

I honestly don't see where Knight even factors in to the Bledsoe discussion at all. They're two very different players and having Knight on the roster should have no effect on who we target in FA. He's a 2, the coaches and FO have made that pretty clear in their comments to the media shortly after the sale.

If we're going to make this a "one or the other" debate, then would you rather pay Knight $10-11 million or Bledsoe $13-14 million? I think the majority of GMs and NBA personnel would choose Bledsoe and the consensus around the league is that he is a better commodity at that price.

[BigO]

Bledsoe is definitely better at some things (defense when he wants to play it)

Your bias against Bledsoe is starting to approach Woelfel/Sanders level.

Bledsoe is one of the most exciting players in the league. But he isn't a great player. Because i don't drool over him doesn't mean I'm against him. I do have a bias against bad evaluation of players. Bledsoe is great on getting to the basket and can play defense. But to ignore his injury history, his 6'1' height, his not being a good shooter and not a great passer, is folly. If Hammonds believes that the injuries are a fluke and that Bledsoe's upside is much greater than what he has shown, then go for it. But right now, I like knights upside and would give him this year to show it. Also not interested in the 8th seed.

[JabariParker12]

Bledsoe is definitely better at some things (defense when he wants to play it)

Your bias against Bledsoe is starting to approach Woelfel/Sanders level.

Bledsoe is one of the most exciting players in the league. But he isn't a great player. Because i don't drool over him doesn't mean I'm against him. I do have a bias against bad evaluation of players. Bledsoe is great on getting to the basket and can play defense. But to ignore his injury history, his 6'1' height, his not being a good shooter and not a great passer, is folly. If Hammonds believes that the injuries are a fluke and that Bledsoe's upside is much greater than what he has shown, then go for it. But right now, I like knights upside and would give him this year to show it. Also not interested in the 8th seed.

Agree with a lot of what you're saying here. To throw a max at a guy like Bledsoe at this point seems like a quick trigger move. I'd rather see what we have in Knight, and play for a top pick in next year's draft (Mudiay?) if it comes to that

[raferfenix]

If we'd do a sign and trade I imagine we'd be sending Knight to the Suns. He can do a (very) poor man's Bledsoe impression and otherwise they'd be relying on rookie Ennis to contribute significantly out of the gate.

Phoenix also has been linked to Ilyasova before and have an even greater need for that kind of player in the front court now that Frye left.

I bet they're pursuing other options though and waiting to see those through before more seriously exploring something with us.

If the Bucks can find another taker for Ersan that might help our leverage. Or if the Suns don't want that cap hit we might need a team to just absorb some of that salary.

[M-C-G]

If we'd do a sign and trade I imagine we'd be sending Knight to the Suns. He can do a (very) poor man's Bledsoe impression and otherwise they'd be relying on rookie Ennis to contribute significantly out of the gate.

Phoenix also has been linked to Ilyasova before and have an even greater need for that kind of player in the front court now that Frye left.

I bet they're pursuing other options though and waiting to see those through before more seriously exploring something with us.

If the Bucks can find another taker for Ersan that might help our leverage. Or if the Suns don't want that cap hit we might need a team to just absorb some of that salary.

If it is a sign and trade, you are realistically looking at Ersan, Knight and Delfino for Bledsoe being the deal...I am a big Knight fan, and if Ersan didn't play like poop last year, I am sure that is a palatable deal, but seeing as Knight will need to be extended, Ersan's value is low, and Delfino is just a throw in for salary, I don't see that deal getting done without a 1st. Which I am not in favor of, at least not next years first.

[MadBlueEdwards]

Bledsoe is definitely better at some things (defense when he wants to play it)

Your bias against Bledsoe is starting to approach Woelfel/Sanders level.

Bledsoe is one of the most exciting players in the league. But he isn't a great player. Because i don't drool over him doesn't mean I'm against him. I do have a bias against bad evaluation of players. Bledsoe is great on getting to the basket and can play defense. But to ignore his injury history, his 6'1' height, his not being a good shooter and not a great passer, is folly. If Hammonds believes that the injuries are a fluke and that Bledsoe's upside is much greater than what he has shown, then go for it. But right now, I like knights upside and would give him this year to show it. Also not interested in the 8th seed.

I was responding more to your implication that he doesn't put in effort defensively.

Also, if we get the 8th seed by riding Parker, Giannis, and Bledsoe, we should all be overjoyed.

[Badgerlander]

[EastSideBucksFan]

When people say "Knight, Ersan, etc" is a terrible package for Bledsoe.....can I reference that Bledsoe got traded for Caron Butler, Jared Dudley and a couple 2nd rounders last year?

I mean, that package sucks and while Bledsoe added to his value, I don't think he did anything that people weren't expecting him to do and he was hurt half the season.

[raferfenix]

Even aside from the value of the package, fit wise, Knight and Ersan align with what worked in Phoenix last season.

Granted it would represent a significant downgrade. But if their goal is to keep cap room to chase superstars while maintaining their enticing foundation, they could do worse.


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[GBBucks]

quick question.

I'm pretty sure this is correct, but I see a lot of people saying things that directly contradict it.

If they bucks were to sign Bledsoe to an offer sheet, then a S&T is off unless both sides agree to cancel the offer sheet and work out a trade. That was the talk with Parsons. Houston wasn't going to match and they were trying to see if Dallas would give them a TPE (which is lol worthy for them to ask. "oh, you're not going to match? but want us to give you more ammo to get better players for nothing? lol eff off").

So any S&T would have to be done before he signs an offer sheet.

[ahoernke21]

Zach Lowe Free Agency Winners/Losers from Grantland.com

http://grantland.com/features/2014-nba- ... r-parsons/

Inertia: Content Division
•Milwaukee. The franchise is happy to tank another season and explore the trade market for ways to off-load veteran money and/or rent out its cap space for picks. It wouldn't shock if the Bucks tossed some last minute cash at a young free agent - they reportedly had some interest in Bledsoe - but time is growing thin.

[mcfromage]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 59s
Free agent Jeff Adrien has reached a 1-year deal with Houston, league sources tell Yahoo.

Boing.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 59s
Free agent Jeff Adrien has reached a 1-year deal with Houston, league sources tell Yahoo.

Boing.

In year's past we would have given him a Gooden/Gadzuric type deal.

[Badgerlander]

I hope another team signs Sessions soon

[M-C-G]

The problem is that you are going to have to "overpay" Knight as well unless you plan on dealing him before the trade deadline. Being in a contract year, and having the brain trust basically say they view him more as a SG are two very big factors that point to Knight not being the long term answer at PG.

I've seen the "overpay" Knight thing a lot...but why? He is restricted, he'll get a deal out on the market, and if we want him, we match market price.

If you are saying market price will likely be more than what you (and some others) think he is worth, that's not over paying in my opinion.

All that aside, I'll be hoping he makes another jump this year, and makes himself worth that 10-12M contract...that would mean we have a keeper, or a nice asset to trade.