Suns Acquire Isaiah Thomas- 4 years, 27 million

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I don't think the Suns can have Thomas and Bledsoe on the court and not be punished on the defensive end though... Dragic is 6'3-6'4 so it doesn't hurt that much...

Bledsoe can guard 2's better than IT can guard 1's, lol. I don't particularly like that duo as starters, but against another team's bench unit? Oh, brother!

[Moochthemonkey]

I'm wondering what the front office said to him. I would think that IT would have gotten more PT elsewhere and probably a larger contract to go with that too. It's nice to have him as an asset going forward, but I would rather the time be used on developing Goodwin...

[lilfishi22]

Goodwin will still get minutes at the 2.

[jcsunsfan]

It's not about starting two PGs...

If a PG who is 6'4+ and with SG skills... Start next to a Traditional PG... Are you really starting two PGs?

The question here is... Can the Suns have a player under 6'4 at SG all season long and not be punished by teams with long SGs?

Sure Suns can punish teams for being "slower" at SG... But a taller SG who can nail jump shots all game in a half court setting would more than neutralise Suns two PG system. In transition Suns definitely have advantage... Get a steal or a long rebound and off you go.

I don't think the Suns can have Thomas and Bledsoe on the court and not be punished on the defensive end though... Dragic is 6'3-6'4 so it doesn't hurt that much...

In any case, let's see how it turns out and hope for the best.

Eric Bledsoe can guard almost any two in the league. He has incredible strength and athleticism and has a 6-7.5 wingspan (same as Gordon Hayward who is considered an excellent defender at SF).

If you have a much taller 2 you still have Green and Griffin to play. PT can be somewhat determined by opposition.

Thomas and Goran will be more of a defensive liability than Thomas and Bledsoe. Bledsoe is a better defender than Goran even against taller players. Its hard to find measurements on Goran, but I have a hunch that Bledsoe actually has a bigger wingspan and standing reach than Goran.

[Blackification]

Very good article by Lowe. Seems like he's one of the only national writers who grasps the fact that the Suns start 2 point guards.

IMO Lowe is the best NBA writer out there right now and I don't think it's really close.

Lowe is big on the analytics and all, but he really loved what dragic did last year and has nothing but positive things to say about the suns. I think the best article on grantland was this one though..

http://grantland.com/features/from-the-ashes/

jonathan abrams killed it

[lilfishi22]

It's not about starting two PGs...

If a PG who is 6'4+ and with SG skills... Start next to a Traditional PG... Are you really starting two PGs?

The question here is... Can the Suns have a player under 6'4 at SG all season long and not be punished by teams with long SGs?

Sure Suns can punish teams for being "slower" at SG... But a taller SG who can nail jump shots all game in a half court setting would more than neutralise Suns two PG system. In transition Suns definitely have advantage... Get a steal or a long rebound and off you go.

I don't think the Suns can have Thomas and Bledsoe on the court and not be punished on the defensive end though... Dragic is 6'3-6'4 so it doesn't hurt that much...

In any case, let's see how it turns out and hope for the best.

Eric Bledsoe can guard almost any two in the league. He has incredible strength and athleticism and has a 6-7.5 wingspan (same as Gordon Hayward who is considered an excellent defender at SF).

If you have a much taller 2 you still have Green and Griffin to play. PT can be somewhat determined by opposition.

Thomas and Goran will be more of a defensive liability than Thomas and Bledsoe. Bledsoe is a better defender than Goran even against taller players. Its hard to find measurements on Goran, but I have a hunch that Bledsoe actually has a bigger wingspan and standing reach than Goran.

Keep in mind, Thomas will be coming off the bench and will likely be playing with Green/Marcus/Warren/Archie at the 2/3 and either with Goran/Bledsoe in spot minutes. I think they have more than enough size and offense to take on most bench units.

I think regardless of the health status of Goran or Bledsoe, Thomas will more than likely still come off the bench with Green stepping up at the 2.

[Moochthemonkey]

It's not about starting two PGs...

If a PG who is 6'4+ and with SG skills... Start next to a Traditional PG... Are you really starting two PGs?

The question here is... Can the Suns have a player under 6'4 at SG all season long and not be punished by teams with long SGs?

Sure Suns can punish teams for being "slower" at SG... But a taller SG who can nail jump shots all game in a half court setting would more than neutralise Suns two PG system. In transition Suns definitely have advantage... Get a steal or a long rebound and off you go.

I don't think the Suns can have Thomas and Bledsoe on the court and not be punished on the defensive end though... Dragic is 6'3-6'4 so it doesn't hurt that much...

In any case, let's see how it turns out and hope for the best.

Eric Bledsoe can guard almost any two in the league. He has incredible strength and athleticism and has a 6-7.5 wingspan (same as Gordon Hayward who is considered an excellent defender at SF).

If you have a much taller 2 you still have Green and Griffin to play. PT can be somewhat determined by opposition.

Thomas and Goran will be more of a defensive liability than Thomas and Bledsoe. Bledsoe is a better defender than Goran even against taller players. Its hard to find measurements on Goran, but I have a hunch that Bledsoe actually has a bigger wingspan and standing reach than Goran.

Keep in mind, Thomas will be coming off the bench and will likely be playing with Green/Marcus/Warren/Archie at the 2/3 and either with Goran/Bledsoe in spot minutes. I think they have more than enough size and offense to take on most bench units.

I think regardless of the health status of Goran or Bledsoe, Thomas will more than likely still come off the bench with Green stepping up at the 2.

What about Len?

[Revived]

It's not about starting two PGs...

If a PG who is 6'4+ and with SG skills... Start next to a Traditional PG... Are you really starting two PGs?

The question here is... Can the Suns have a player under 6'4 at SG all season long and not be punished by teams with long SGs?

Sure Suns can punish teams for being "slower" at SG... But a taller SG who can nail jump shots all game in a half court setting would more than neutralise Suns two PG system. In transition Suns definitely have advantage... Get a steal or a long rebound and off you go.

I don't think the Suns can have Thomas and Bledsoe on the court and not be punished on the defensive end though... Dragic is 6'3-6'4 so it doesn't hurt that much...

In any case, let's see how it turns out and hope for the best.

Eric Bledsoe can guard almost any two in the league. He has incredible strength and athleticism and has a 6-7.5 wingspan (same as Gordon Hayward who is considered an excellent defender at SF).

If you have a much taller 2 you still have Green and Griffin to play. PT can be somewhat determined by opposition.

Thomas and Goran will be more of a defensive liability than Thomas and Bledsoe. Bledsoe is a better defender than Goran even against taller players. Its hard to find measurements on Goran, but I have a hunch that Bledsoe actually has a bigger wingspan and standing reach than Goran.

Keep in mind, Thomas will be coming off the bench and will likely be playing with Green/Marcus/Warren/Archie at the 2/3 and either with Goran/Bledsoe in spot minutes. I think they have more than enough size and offense to take on most bench units.

I think regardless of the health status of Goran or Bledsoe, Thomas will more than likely still come off the bench with Green stepping up at the 2.

What about Len?

[lilfishi22]

What about Len?

I was only referring to the guys who will play the 2 and 3 next to Thomas. Len obviously would come off the bench.

[Wannabe MEP]

Ok, now I can finally get excited about IT. I really thought it was a good signing that made a lot of sense...but I was getting a little bit panicked about spacing in the frontcourt. Tolliver has me relaxing.

So...IT looks awesome! What a great price-tag for this guy. Remember how LA used Bynum/Gasol/Odom? We could do the same with Dragic/Bledsoe/IT. And then he's Bledsoe injury insurance.

[PhxSunsFan1234]

Ok, now I can finally get excited about IT. I really thought it was a good signing that made a lot of sense...but I was getting a little bit panicked about spacing in the frontcourt. Tolliver has me relaxing.

So...IT looks awesome! What a great price-tag for this guy. Remember how LA used Bynum/Gasol/Odom? We could do the same with Dragic/Bledsoe/IT. And then he's Bledsoe injury insurance.

We should just sign Bynum and hope he cares about basketball. We need a C

[Flying Colors]

Ok, now I can finally get excited about IT. I really thought it was a good signing that made a lot of sense...but I was getting a little bit panicked about spacing in the frontcourt. Tolliver has me relaxing.

So...IT looks awesome! What a great price-tag for this guy. Remember how LA used Bynum/Gasol/Odom? We could do the same with Dragic/Bledsoe/IT. And then he's Bledsoe injury insurance.

We should just sign Bynum and hope he cares about basketball. We need a C

I can save you the time and tell you bynum doesn't care

[PhxSunsFan1234]

Ok, now I can finally get excited about IT. I really thought it was a good signing that made a lot of sense...but I was getting a little bit panicked about spacing in the frontcourt. Tolliver has me relaxing.

So...IT looks awesome! What a great price-tag for this guy. Remember how LA used Bynum/Gasol/Odom? We could do the same with Dragic/Bledsoe/IT. And then he's Bledsoe injury insurance.

We should just sign Bynum and hope he cares about basketball. We need a C

I can save you the time and tell you bynum doesn't care

Guess when you're 7 feet tall, you're sort of forced to play basketball (especially if you're athletic). I get not liking the sport (and he's made some good money, hopefully he's smart with it). But my god, you have to be pretty damn bold, stubborn, HATE the game, etc to actually turn down that much money year in and year out. Basketball can't be that bad

[Superhuman]

Guess when you're 7 feet tall, you're sort of forced to play basketball (especially if you're athletic). I get not liking the sport (and he's made some good money, hopefully he's smart with it). But my god, you have to be pretty damn bold, stubborn, HATE the game, etc to actually turn down that much money year in and year out. Basketball can't be that bad

What's sad is that so many people would kill to be 7 ft tall. I'm sure a bunch of us here on realgm would love to be a 7 ft giant and make millions of dollars playing the sport we love. Just need to put in the time and effort.

What Bynum's doing is such a waste!

[PhxSunsFan1234]

Guess when you're 7 feet tall, you're sort of forced to play basketball (especially if you're athletic). I get not liking the sport (and he's made some good money, hopefully he's smart with it). But my god, you have to be pretty damn bold, stubborn, HATE the game, etc to actually turn down that much money year in and year out. Basketball can't be that bad

What's sad is that so many people would kill to be 7 ft tall. I'm sure a bunch of us here on realgm would love to be a 7 ft giant and make millions of dollars playing the sport we love. Just need to put in the time and effort.

What Bynum's doing is such a waste!

Uhhh...i know a 7 footer and he hates it. People stare. Clothes don't fit. Have to get clothes/shoes/everything off the internet. did i mention people stare. You're life span is shorter. You don't fit in cars, planes, trains, anything that moves.

If you're the 1% of 7 footers who is actually athletic, sure, but to be 7 foot would be absolutely miserable.

And obviously he doesn't love basketball. Is it a waste of athleticism and height, sure? But you can't force someone to play a sport because they're tall.

You get burnt out on things after a while. Sure he's set on money if he's smart too. But he doesn't come off as very smart lol.

[Superhuman]

Guess when you're 7 feet tall, you're sort of forced to play basketball (especially if you're athletic). I get not liking the sport (and he's made some good money, hopefully he's smart with it). But my god, you have to be pretty damn bold, stubborn, HATE the game, etc to actually turn down that much money year in and year out. Basketball can't be that bad

What's sad is that so many people would kill to be 7 ft tall. I'm sure a bunch of us here on realgm would love to be a 7 ft giant and make millions of dollars playing the sport we love. Just need to put in the time and effort.

What Bynum's doing is such a waste!

Uhhh...i know a 7 footer and he hates it. People stare. Clothes don't fit. Have to get clothes/shoes/everything off the internet. did i mention people stare. You're life span is shorter. You don't fit in cars, planes, trains, anything that moves.

If you're the 1% of 7 footers who is actually athletic, sure, but to be 7 foot would be absolutely miserable.

And obviously he doesn't love basketball. Is it a waste of athleticism and height, sure? But you can't force someone to play a sport because they're tall.

You get burnt out on things after a while. Sure he's set on money if he's smart too. But he doesn't come off as very smart lol.

Yeah I was obviously talking about athletic 7 footers like Bynum. Having a normal job and being a regular citizen as a 7 footer must suck.

[bigfoot]

Another important aspect of the Thomas signing is FIBA World Cup of Basketball. Dragic will be playing again this summer. He will have had very little rest over the past two years. Makes Thomas that much more of an insurance policy.

[BVPN]

Another important aspect of the Thomas signing is FIBA World Cup of Basketball. Dragic will be playing again this summer. He will have had very little rest over the past two years. Makes Thomas that much more of an insurance policy.

Honestly Dragic should be limited to 25-30 mpg the first couple months of the season. He can still start, but I think he would be dead by the end of the season if he was playing 35-37 mpg every game.

[DRK]

I like this signing, but i get the feeling we just signed Aaron Brooks again... Who, ironically, just came off a 20-6 season when we got him.........

Very similar game, very similar size, very similar circumstances

[Qwigglez]

Hey wow DRK, I was thinking the same thing, lol. I'm hoping I'm wrong though, as I feel like Thomas has that mentality where he wants to prove his worth and Brooks was just looking for a paycheck.