The One And Only Offseason Thread 5: Dinnertime!

[sunsbum]

Please stop talking about dragic getting traded before I drown all of you. He's not going anywhere OK? Read it twice.

[Qwigglez]

If we're trading Bledsoe it is most certainly for an already established player. We don't need any more projects.

[Saberestar]

If we have to trade Bledsoe because he really does not want to play here, I want a player with similirar cualities. I want to maintain the 2 PG style, or at least, 2 ball handlers who can press the ball on defense and run fastbreaks too.
I am looking around the league and I have found some players that can be great replacements for Bledsoe....

Jrue Holliday, one year younger, bigger but less explosive and a very good defender too. $11M per year.
Reggie Jackson, one year younger, good size, he is entering his last year on rookie's contract. Can be an steal because he has potential to be even a better player than Bledsoe , just my opinion. Hard hard worker and healthy.
Kemba Walker, one year younger, smaller and worse defender. Great scorer, he is entering his last year on rookie's contract too.
Brandon Knight, one year younger too and in the same contract's situation than Kemba and Reggie. Bad court vision, but excellent going to the hole and in transition. Decent defender and progressing.

Some other real options out there?

[Kerrsed]

If we have to trade Bledsoe because he really does not want to play here, I want a player with similirar cualities. I want to maintain the 2 PG style, or at least, 2 ball handlers who can press the ball on defense and run fastbreaks too.
I am looking around the league and I have found some players that can be great replacements for Bledsoe....

Jrue Holliday, one year younger, bigger but less explosive and a very good defender too. $11M per year.
Reggie Jackson, one year younger, good size, he is entering his last year on rookie's contract. Can be an steal because he has potential to be even a better player than Bledsoe , just my opinion. Hard hard worker and healthy.
Kemba Walker, one year younger, smaller and worse defender. Great scorer, he is entering his last year on rookie's contract too.
Brandon Knight, one year younger too and in the same contract's situation than Kemba and Reggie. Bad court vision, but excellent going to the hole and in transition. Decent defender and progressing.

Some other real options out there?

So you want to keep a 2 PG style. Hmmm...... i have an idea, its an option that you didnt think of, how about we go after Isiah Thomas!! I think he could do great at PG in our system, and then we can slide Dragic over to the SG spot. As for what it would take to get Thomas, i dont know for sure, but i bet we have the pieces to get it done!

[Saberestar]

If we have to trade Bledsoe because he really does not want to play here, I want a player with similirar cualities. I want to maintain the 2 PG style, or at least, 2 ball handlers who can press the ball on defense and run fastbreaks too.
I am looking around the league and I have found some players that can be great replacements for Bledsoe....

Jrue Holliday, one year younger, bigger but less explosive and a very good defender too. $11M per year.
Reggie Jackson, one year younger, good size, he is entering his last year on rookie's contract. Can be an steal because he has potential to be even a better player than Bledsoe , just my opinion. Hard hard worker and healthy.
Kemba Walker, one year younger, smaller and worse defender. Great scorer, he is entering his last year on rookie's contract too.
Brandon Knight, one year younger too and in the same contract's situation than Kemba and Reggie. Bad court vision, but excellent going to the hole and in transition. Decent defender and progressing.

Some other real options out there?

So you want to keep a 2 PG style. Hmmm...... i have an idea, its an option that you didnt think of, how about we go after Isiah Thomas!! I think he could do great at PG in our system, and then we can slide Dragic over to the SG spot. As for what it would take to get Thomas, i dont know for sure, but i bet we have the pieces to get it done!

Yes, yes, I know that we have Isaiah, but I want him to play that sixth man role. He is not a great defender, and it is very important to have a big and agresive defender in our starting PG position next to Dragic. This is why I was thinking primarily about Holliday or Reggie Jackson to replace Bledsoe.

I hope McDonough can work some magic and bring a great player like them for Bledsoe.

[Saberestar]

@paulcoro Is there any tread in the LaCava “Bledsoe Trade” rumours? I know you’ll break the story if and when, but it can’t hurt to ask.

It’s becoming a greater possibility. It was possible if they got good value but the priority and preference was to sign him.

https://mobile.twitter.com/paulcoro

[NTB]

It is all about team chemistry. McDonough knows what to do.

[JamesConway]

@paulcoro Is there any tread in the LaCava “Bledsoe Trade” rumours? I know you’ll break the story if and when, but it can’t hurt to ask.

It’s becoming a greater possibility. It was possible if they got good value but the priority and preference was to sign him.

https://mobile.twitter.com/paulcoro

Who is Paul Coro? Would you (or other Suns-Fans) consider him to be a legit source?

[TASTIC]

They can't trade Dragic, surely.

He's become the emotional and on-court leader of this team and his return and ascendancy to being an elite guard has re-invigorated this franchise.

You can't trade that, then re-sign a guy who is aloof to put it nicely, and one who doesn't say or do the right things as a FA. Bledsoe has so much talent and I love him as a player, but he is a man and as such he can tell his agent to take 'X deal' - whatever that may be. He doesn't need to buy into all this fanfare and he can help his image and his bank account by taking the Suns generous offer, or telling Rich Paul to counter with $55m over 4 (thereabouts).

I can't see the Bledsoe camp getting anything done, there's been nothing from them and if they wouldn't take $48m over 4 from the Suns, why would they take less than max from any other team?

I've seen a few teams/names thrown out there, there seems to be a definite 'pool' of players who have been rumoured to be potentially traded for one reason or another.

I don't want anything to do with Rondo. He'd be a terrible fit next to Dragic. At best he's someone to include in a 3 teamer so we can flick him elsewhere.

I like Walker's game but he's too small - despite being slightly taller than Bledsoe. Some people are forgetting the Bledsoe/Dragic back-court worked because combined they had the size/defensive chops to play against nearly any backcourt, despite often being shorter. For that same reason, I'd much rather keep Thomas on the bench as the floor general leading the second unit.

Reggie Jackson - I really like his game too and think he could be a potential partner to Dragic as well, but would OKC be able to absorb that hit of Bledsoe's new deal? I doubt it, unless they shipped out Perkins/Collison etc.

I think the likeliest trade partner is the Bucks. As others have mentioned, Knight was actually pretty good last year and offensively he might be better paired with Dragic than Bledsoe, as he's a better outside shooter and wouldn't need the ball as much as EB to be effective. The Bucks also have all those useful rotation guys - Henson, Ilyasova, Middleton. I'd be asking for Henson along with Knight if EB is S&Td to them, and perhaps even Ilyasova to make the money work.

I want Millsap - I think he's the PF/veteran we need to start at PF, which will allow Kieff to stay on the bench where he was most effective. He was complete garbage two years ago when he started, and while he has improved greatly, I'm not so sure he's a 35min a night guy.

What SGs would fit/be available? Seems to be the thinnest position going round at the moment. Only guys I can think of that I like as replacements for Bledsoe/starting next to Dragic (that are available, ie Beal wouldn't be available but would be awesome) are wow...there are none that really fit who could actually be acquired...Klay? When did SG become so thin!?

All in all, as many others have said, I'm quite disappointed with this off-season as we were armed to the teeth with assets, space and youth and we don't have a lot to show for it.

I love the Thomas signing along with the Warren pick, but I didn't like the Ennis pick - though he does have some upside obviously - but I think we haven't done nearly as much as most of us were hoping to do.

Jeez this was a massive rant post. I'm sick as a dog sitting here at work and just kept typing haha

[SCourGe OF GoD]

HOU 1st , Jordan Clarkson, Jordan Hill for Bledsoe

[carey]

consider him to be a legit source?

Yes, he is the Suns beat writer for the Phoenix area newspaper. I could have told you what Paul would say to that question though. He doesn't really break news.

[TASTIC]

@paulcoro Is there any tread in the LaCava “Bledsoe Trade” rumours? I know you’ll break the story if and when, but it can’t hurt to ask.

It’s becoming a greater possibility. It was possible if they got good value but the priority and preference was to sign him.

https://mobile.twitter.com/paulcoro

Who is Paul Coro? Would you (or other Suns-Fans) consider him to be a legit source?

Suns official beat reporter, AZ Central.

He's as close as they come to the Suns - but obviously in being that close he can't be leaking everything nor being too critical.

[carey]

Terrence Jones, Nick Johnson and Pelican's 1st for Bledsoe? I would definitely take that. They might have to dump another contract to make the numbers work depending on how much they agree to pay Bledsoe..

Terrence Jones is a fantastic young player that I've wanted on the Suns for a long time. I'd jump on that deal in a heart-beat.

[JamesConway]

Alright, thank you carey & TASTIC

[NTB]

Terrence Jones has serious mental problems. He sometimes tries to playmake... My Rockets fan friend doesn't like him.

[King4Day]

CYBERX HAS SPOKEN

Rockets working on Bledsoe with a lot of competition.

Morey doesn't want to give him more than 2 years at this point. He may have to cave.

Nothing that id consider close.

Bledsoe doesn't want to be seen as one of Moreys "assets" either. He is being careful and looking at his (limited) options.

He wants some stability...

If he signed an offersheet, why wouldn't we just match? Especially if it's only 2-3 years?

[King4Day]

@paulcoro Is there any tread in the LaCava “Bledsoe Trade” rumours? I know you’ll break the story if and when, but it can’t hurt to ask.

It’s becoming a greater possibility. It was possible if they got good value but the priority and preference was to sign him.

https://mobile.twitter.com/paulcoro

Who is Paul Coro? Would you (or other Suns-Fans) consider him to be a legit source?

He's a Suns beat writer. He never breaks news but more or less will give his honest opinion on things.
Him saying it's becoming a greater possibility of a trade would be based on him recognizing that things are no longer looking bright for a deal to get done.

[SSOL]

CYBERX HAS SPOKEN

Rockets working on Bledsoe with a lot of competition.

Morey doesn't want to give him more than 2 years at this point. He may have to cave.

Nothing that id consider close.

Bledsoe doesn't want to be seen as one of Moreys "assets" either. He is being careful and looking at his (limited) options.

He wants some stability...

If he signed an offersheet, why wouldn't we just match? Especially if it's only 2-3 years?

It would be a sign and trade. Bledsoe wouldn't sign and offer sheet with Houston.

[King4Day]

CYBERX HAS SPOKEN

If he signed an offersheet, why wouldn't we just match? Especially if it's only 2-3 years?

It would be a sign and trade. Bledsoe wouldn't sign and offer sheet with Houston.

Gotcha. Well that'd truly be him saying he doesn't like Phoenix. He will get boo'ed the rest of his career when he plays in the valley.

[Qwigglez]

HOU 1st , Jordan Clarkson, Jordan Hill for Bledsoe

Sorry, we're not the Grizzlies.