The One And Only Offseason Thread 4

[JDLAW]

According to league sources, an “ominous development” has arisen with sides still “very far apart” in contract negotiations. It has even escalated to the point where the “relationship is on the express lane to being ruined,” a source with knowledge of the situation informed CSNNW.com.

The Suns offered Bledsoe a four-year, $48 million deal with declining salaries each year, two sources said. That proposal was quickly turned down. Bledsoe’s camp is putting a max price tag on the player Suns Head Coach Jeff Hornacek called “a Top-10 player in the NBA in coming years”, another source said.

Phoenix has made it known publicly and repeatedly that they intend to match any offer sheets competitors issue out to Bledsoe. This tactic has succeeded in scaring away any potential suitors so far. However, the effort by the Suns to undermine Bledsoe’s market is what has angered Bledsoe and his reps and led to a standoff in which the relationship is now on the verge of being irreparable, we’re told.

Did we all miss this? How often do up and coming talents sign front-loaded deals?

Ask yourself, "why is this coming out of the northwest and not locally?

[Moochiefried]

Still amazes me that anyone can feel insulted by being offered $48 million. I don't think I could spend that much money in my lifetime...

[Superhuman]

This is getting ridiculous. I've been one of Bled's biggest advocates throughout this whole sh*t storm but it really is just out of hand now. I wouldn't mind if he wasn't on the team next year, even though we'd probably not be as good.

I didn't really like the sign and trade for Monroe idea but now I'm all for it. I wouldn't like him to take the QO since it would be all kinds of awkward next season. Just leave Eric!

[carey]

43 games played and he wants a max. LOL.

Dave King said he wanted a max extension last year. The Suns had to know that going in which explains why we drafted Ennis & targeted Thomas in FA. There is a very real possibility that Bledsoe is not a Sun next season.

[JDLAW]

43 games played and he wants a max. LOL.

Dave King said he wanted a max extension last year. The Suns had to know that going in which explains why we drafted Ennis & targeted Thomas in FA. There is a very real possibility that Bledsoe is not a Sun next season.

Dave King has no knowledge of what he wanted last year.

[BobbieL]

According to league sources, an “ominous development” has arisen with sides still “very far apart” in contract negotiations. It has even escalated to the point where the “relationship is on the express lane to being ruined,” a source with knowledge of the situation informed CSNNW.com.

The Suns offered Bledsoe a four-year, $48 million deal with declining salaries each year, two sources said. That proposal was quickly turned down. Bledsoe’s camp is putting a max price tag on the player Suns Head Coach Jeff Hornacek called “a Top-10 player in the NBA in coming years”, another source said.

Phoenix has made it known publicly and repeatedly that they intend to match any offer sheets competitors issue out to Bledsoe. This tactic has succeeded in scaring away any potential suitors so far. However, the effort by the Suns to undermine Bledsoe’s market is what has angered Bledsoe and his reps and led to a standoff in which the relationship is now on the verge of being irreparable, we’re told.

Did we all miss this? How often do up and coming talents sign front-loaded deals?

Ask yourself, "why is this coming out of the northwest and not locally?

Good question.

The declining salaries is a non factor to me. That is strictly the ability of the Suns to put more money on this years cap to make future years less so they can remain competitive. They did this with Tucker and Thomas. 4/48 is 48 whether its 4 x 12 or 10.5, 11.5, 12.5, 13.5 or declining like 13.5, 12.5 11.5, 10.5. Granted, in year , he might think he is underpaid but in year 1,he is overpaid. The contract set up is easily explainable with a real agent.

Bledsoe and Paul need to understand its not the Suns, its not the RFA - it is the market. And until otherwise, the Suns KNEW the most they would pay for Bledsoe is 4/63. To think that 5/84 was ever on the able is asinine and stupid. This wasn't Carmelo who could get offers from LA or the Bulls to make the Knicks go 5/122.

Bledsoe was NEVER going to get more than 4/63 and that should have been his starting point.

I think explore the trade market. Its obvious Bledsoe will go where he gets paid.

[Jdiddy701]

Have you guys watched Greg Monroe play before? He doesn't fit in Phoenix. Tired of hearing how he would be a great fit here. Markieff better IMO.

Eric Bledsoe, dude I've had your back this entire process, but c'mon you're better than this. Show Phoenix some respect and make it right.

[drewsprocket]

Even if throwing a tantrum in the media is a tactic to manipulate the Suns into making a poor decision. It doesn't change the fact that Bledsoe will end up playing in a Suns uni next season. Bledsoe can even go so far as to say he doesn't want to go back to Phoenix, he'll still be taken to task. My estimation is that by leaking frustration is a tactic to pique the interest of other GM teams into initiating a sign and trade for an acceptable contract. Ultimately, I think that method might fall flat on its face as it would seem more likely that GMs will want to wait to see how bad the situation deteriorates to the point where the price of Bledsoe goes down.

Good call on staying the course and taking the high road. Like when a child is having an outburst you keep calm, consistent, warm, and with setting limits.

I can't wait to read Grantland's future ripping R. Paul as an amatuer agent.

[carey]

Dave King has no knowledge of what he wanted last year.

Why do you say that?

[tweet]https://twitter.com/DaveKingNBA/status/494267791357116416[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/DaveKingNBA/status/494268038850433025[/tweet]

[BobbieL]

This is getting ridiculous. I've been one of Bled's biggest advocates throughout this whole sh*t storm but it really is just out of hand now. I wouldn't mind if he wasn't on the team next year, even though we'd probably not be as good.

I didn't really like the sign and trade for Monroe idea but now I'm all for it. I wouldn't like him to take the QO since it would be all kinds of awkward next season. Just leave Eric!

Lakers: Nash and Randle for Bledsoe
Bucks - whatever
Minnesota: The TWins and Bledsoe for Love and Martin; or just make it a three way and get something to the Suns

[JDLAW]

Did we all miss this? How often do up and coming talents sign front-loaded deals?

Ask yourself, "why is this coming out of the northwest and not locally?

Good question.

The declining salaries is a non factor to me. That is strictly the ability of the Suns to put more money on this years cap to make future years less so they can remain competitive. They did this with Tucker and Thomas. 4/48 is 48 whether its 4 x 12 or 10.5, 11.5, 12.5, 13.5 or declining like 13.5, 12.5 11.5, 10.5. Granted, in year , he might think he is underpaid but in year 1,he is overpaid. The contract set up is easily explainable with a real agent.

Bledsoe and Paul need to understand its not the Suns, its not the RFA - it is the market. And until otherwise, the Suns KNEW the most they would pay for Bledsoe is 4/63. To think that 5/84 was ever on the able is asinine and stupid. This wasn't Carmelo who could get offers from LA or the Bulls to make the Knicks go 5/122.

Bledsoe was NEVER going to get more than 4/63 and that should have been his starting point.

I think explore the trade market. Its obvious Bledsoe will go where he gets paid.

No you do not explore the trade market - it is not the Suns job. If Bledsoe's agent wants him elsewhere and can work out a S&T that would be acceptable to the Suns so be it. Agents do this all the time. My guess is that he has tried and like his negotiating tactics, has come up with zero.

[Cutter]

I would be quite surprised if the Suns began making negative offers to Bledsoe, trying to force him to sign. I know from a fan perspective it feels good to do that, but you just can't do that if you are Babby or McD. I think most players and GMs in the league who have knowledge of business realize that Rich Paul has made some serious strategic negotiating errors. I think the entire league, both players and management, are watching to see how this plays out. If Babby and McD go negative and start lowering their offer, the entire league will watch as we slowly humiliate Bledsoe into signing something like a 36/4 offer or take the QO. It might get to that eventually, but I'm sure the Suns do not want other players to have a negative view of the team when they witness a Bledsoe contract beat down.

[JDLAW]

Dave King has no knowledge of what he wanted last year.

Why do you say that?

[tweet]https://twitter.com/DaveKingNBA/status/494267791357116416[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/DaveKingNBA/status/494268038850433025[/tweet]

I will believe this when it is reported by someone other than Dave King. Has Coro ever reported this? I do not think any one has leaked out actual numbers from the last negotiation.

But even if this were true, it only goes to show just how unrealistic his agent is.

[BobbieL]

Ask yourself, "why is this coming out of the northwest and not locally?

Good question.

The declining salaries is a non factor to me. That is strictly the ability of the Suns to put more money on this years cap to make future years less so they can remain competitive. They did this with Tucker and Thomas. 4/48 is 48 whether its 4 x 12 or 10.5, 11.5, 12.5, 13.5 or declining like 13.5, 12.5 11.5, 10.5. Granted, in year , he might think he is underpaid but in year 1,he is overpaid. The contract set up is easily explainable with a real agent.

Bledsoe and Paul need to understand its not the Suns, its not the RFA - it is the market. And until otherwise, the Suns KNEW the most they would pay for Bledsoe is 4/63. To think that 5/84 was ever on the able is asinine and stupid. This wasn't Carmelo who could get offers from LA or the Bulls to make the Knicks go 5/122.

Bledsoe was NEVER going to get more than 4/63 and that should have been his starting point.

I think explore the trade market. Its obvious Bledsoe will go where he gets paid.

No you do not explore the trade market - it is not the Suns job. If Bledsoe's agent wants him elsewhere and can work out a S&T that would be acceptable to the Suns so be it. Agents do this all the time. My guess is that he has tried and like his negotiating tactics, has come up with zero.

I would agree that Paul has contacted teams, presented Bledsoe, the teams are interested until the numbers come up. I am sure many teams would be interested in Bledsoe at what the Suns are offering - but not at 4/63 or 5/84 type numbers

[carey]

I will believe this when it is reported by someone other than Dave King. Has Coro ever reported this? I do not think any one has leaked out actual numbers from the last negotiation.

But even if this were true, it only goes to show just how unrealistic his agent is.

I think Bright Side gets a bad rap around here. They've come a long way in the past few years. Dave is a credentialed member of the media and I really only trust Coro & Gambo for Suns information ahead of him. Regarding Bledsoe's contract demands, I'm not sure it's his agent. I think it's Eric. He has the ultimate belief in himself. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, but at some point he has to face reality and either sign for what the market is giving him or not. Just my 2 cents.

[Cutter]

Dave King has no knowledge of what he wanted last year.

Why do you say that?

[tweet]https://twitter.com/DaveKingNBA/status/494267791357116416[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/DaveKingNBA/status/494268038850433025[/tweet]

Who is Noel Villela? What are his credentials or credibility as a source?

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

I will believe this when it is reported by someone other than Dave King. Has Coro ever reported this? I do not think any one has leaked out actual numbers from the last negotiation.

I've agreed with a lot of what you've had to say lately, but this insistence on Coro being the only legit source, the suggestion that accurate information can't come from outside local media - these sorts of opinions aren't worthy of the strong language that characterizes your prose.

[JDLAW]

Good question.

The declining salaries is a non factor to me. That is strictly the ability of the Suns to put more money on this years cap to make future years less so they can remain competitive. They did this with Tucker and Thomas. 4/48 is 48 whether its 4 x 12 or 10.5, 11.5, 12.5, 13.5 or declining like 13.5, 12.5 11.5, 10.5. Granted, in year , he might think he is underpaid but in year 1,he is overpaid. The contract set up is easily explainable with a real agent.

Bledsoe and Paul need to understand its not the Suns, its not the RFA - it is the market. And until otherwise, the Suns KNEW the most they would pay for Bledsoe is 4/63. To think that 5/84 was ever on the able is asinine and stupid. This wasn't Carmelo who could get offers from LA or the Bulls to make the Knicks go 5/122.

Bledsoe was NEVER going to get more than 4/63 and that should have been his starting point.

I think explore the trade market. Its obvious Bledsoe will go where he gets paid.

No you do not explore the trade market - it is not the Suns job. If Bledsoe's agent wants him elsewhere and can work out a S&T that would be acceptable to the Suns so be it. Agents do this all the time. My guess is that he has tried and like his negotiating tactics, has come up with zero.

I would agree that Paul has contacted teams, presented Bledsoe, the teams are interested until the numbers come up. I am sure many teams would be interested in Bledsoe at what the Suns are offering - but not at 4/63 or 5/84 type numbers

Bledsoe cannot get 5/84 from any other team but the Suns. The most he can get on a S&T is 4/63.

[Jarlaxle0204]

I will believe this when it is reported by someone other than Dave King. Has Coro ever reported this? I do not think any one has leaked out actual numbers from the last negotiation.

But even if this were true, it only goes to show just how unrealistic his agent is.

I think Bright Side gets a bad rap around here. They've come a long way in the past few years. Dave is a credentialed member of the media and I really only trust Coro & Gambo for Suns information ahead of him. Regarding Bledsoe's contract demands, I'm not sure it's his agent. I think it's Eric. He has the ultimate belief in himself. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, but at some point he has to face reality and either sign for what the market is giving him or not. Just my 2 cents.

If he really has the ultimate belief in himself as you say, he'll just take the QO.

[carey]

Who is Noel Villela? What are his credentials or credibility as a source?

Just a random guy asking Dave a question to which he is responding. The @ symbol is basically a "to" in Twitter unless it's in a manual RT followed by a colon then that means "from."