Bledsoe and Suns reach 5 year, $70 million deal

[Zelaznyrules]

Half of the RealGM members giving their opinions on this topic are just as clueless as Brian Windhorst.

Half? It seems like most of them think Bledsoe lost his entire Meniscus or has the same problem in both knees. He tore his meniscus and they repaired it a few years ago. The repair didn't hold so this year they went in and removed a SMALL portion of the meniscus. This isn't a Wade or Rose situation. There is no reason to expect future problems, especially during the life of this contract. Any injury to a knee is a concern so It's not a perfect situation but it's nowhere near as bad as most fans seems to think it is.

[bwgood77]

I was initially worried that the Suns wouldn't want to pay close to $30 million a year for both, but apparently they are and they are going to keep Dragic. This is part of the reason they are signing his brother to a two year deal. Next year Goran will sign a similar deal or perhaps a little more.

Have you guys landed Zoran?

I hope so, as i'd love to see them both play together. Should that happen, with Ennis also on board, i really don't see the need for Thomas.

He is on a good deal and would be movable when possible. That 7m could be used elsewhere.

I think if we trade anyone it might be Thomas, but not soon. We will probably wait to see if Green stays after next summer. Or Green plays the 3 some. We also could move Tucker, let Green play the 3, let IT play pg and when he comes in leave either Dragic or Bledsoe in at the 2. Hornacek said right after the Suns signed IT that they wanted to have two of the three on the floor at all times if possible. After next summer, if TJ Warrenis ready for significant minutes they probably let Green go or trade Tucker and Ennis might be on the block if they keep Thomas. They have options. They couldn't find bigs in free agency so better to get assets on decent deals...the Thomas deal is a great one. Bledsoe's is pretty fair, especially will be in years 3-5.

[Kerrsed]

Where's Suns fan now?

I thought they wouldn't bid against themselves and that Bled was damaged goods after getting his meniscus removed? So Minny, a team over the cap, supposedly thinks he's worth a max deal and Phoenix caved.

They didn't. They negotiated. Bledsoe's camp finally sat down and they met in the middle (a little closer to the Suns per year # than the max per year avg)

The Middle? The Suns were offering 4 years $44 million. Bledsoe wanted 5 years $80 million. 5 years $70 million is MUCH closer to what Bledsoe was asking for.

Holy crap this is such an awful contract. I think Phoenix is really going to regret this contract in 2 years. I hope it pans out and he gets healthy, I really do, but I just don't see it. This s a strong candidate for the worst contract in the league and easily the worst contract of the off season.

What I don't understand is this line here: "The Wolves were prepared to give Bledsoe a four-year deal worth more than $60 million in such a trade, which strengthened Bledsoe's position that he would be a commodity in the market next year." If this is the case, why in god's name didn't Phoenix just up their offer to 4 years $60 million and be done with it? I without question would not have offered that fifth year. No other team than Phoenix could give the fifth year! Why did they bid against themselves? If no team could offer more than 4 years and $60 million, why would Phoenix offer more? He would have taken it. He's not going to take the qualifying offer, turn down $8 million or whatever it is in the first year, and take the risk that he can't get a 4 year $60 million contract next year when one is already being offered to him now. This just seems incredibly stupid. I'm shocked that Phoenix blinked first. I really thought they were handling this exactly right up until this point.

Your numbers are WAY off!

Suns offered 4/$48 ($12M per Season)

Bledsoe (Rich Paul) was refusing to sit down and negotiate with the Suns. They were at 5/$84M ($16M+ per season) or bust. When Bledsoes options ran out and he knew we called his bluff and he couldnt just take the QO they finally called the Suns and negotiated till we reached 5/$70M ($14M per Season).

[bwgood77]

Where's Suns fan now?

I thought they wouldn't bid against themselves and that Bled was damaged goods after getting his meniscus removed? So Minny, a team over the cap, supposedly thinks he's worth a max deal and Phoenix caved.

They didn't. They negotiated. Bledsoe's camp finally sat down and they met in the middle (a little closer to the Suns per year # than the max per year avg)

The Middle? The Suns were offering 4 years $44 million. Bledsoe wanted 5 years $80 million. 5 years $70 million is MUCH closer to what Bledsoe was asking for.

Holy crap this is such an awful contract. I think Phoenix is really going to regret this contract in 2 years. I hope it pans out and he gets healthy, I really do, but I just don't see it. This s a strong candidate for the worst contract in the league and easily the worst contract of the off season.

What I don't understand is this line here: "The Wolves were prepared to give Bledsoe a four-year deal worth more than $60 million in such a trade, which strengthened Bledsoe's position that he would be a commodity in the market next year." If this is the case, why in god's name didn't Phoenix just up their offer to 4 years $60 million and be done with it? I without question would not have offered that fifth year. No other team than Phoenix could give the fifth year! Why did they bid against themselves? If no team could offer more than 4 years and $60 million, why would Phoenix offer more? He would have taken it. He's not going to take the qualifying offer, turn down $8 million or whatever it is in the first year, and take the risk that he can't get a 4 year $60 million contract next year when one is already being offered to him now. This just seems incredibly stupid. I'm shocked that Phoenix blinked first. I really thought they were handling this exactly right up until this point.

They offered 4/48 or 12 a year, Bledsoe wanted 5/84 or 16.8 a year. In a couple of years this contract will look a lot better when the cap is significantly higher and contracts skyrocket.

I'd much rather pay Bledsoe 14 a year than Hayward 16 a year or Parsons 15 a year. Those are worse contracts.

And 5/70 is much better deal than 4/60. Less per year. One additional 5th year for an extra 10 million. Not sure why you think 4/60 is better.

[alldayeveryday]

Half of the RealGM members giving their opinions on this topic are just as clueless as Brian Windhorst.

Half? It seems like most of them think Bledsoe lost his entire Meniscus or has the same problem in both knees. He tore his meniscus and they repaired it a few years ago. The repair didn't hold so this year they went in and removed a SMALL portion of the meniscus. This isn't a Wade or Rose situation. There is no reason to expect future problems, especially during the life of this contract. Any injury to a knee is a concern so It's not a perfect situation but it's nowhere near as bad as most fans seems to think it is.

Half = Non Phoenix Suns fans. I'm sure the ones who've been following the Eric Bledsoe news from day one have a pretty good idea what was going on from a contract and/or health related inquiries then anyone else.

[Naija Boy]

Klay Thompson's max contract doesn't look as bad anymore. Not that it's good, but not as bad.

Healthy Bledsoe is a much better and more versatile player than Klay Thompson

[Supercoolmeth]

Go get your money Bledsoe.

This is what the Suns get for trying to lowball him

[Kerrsed]

[kingkirk]

I think if we trade anyone it might be Thomas, but not soon. We will probably wait to see if Green stays after next summer. Or Green plays the 3 some. We also could move Tucker, let Green play the 3, let IT play pg and when he comes in leave either Dragic or Bledsoe in at the 2. Hornacek said right after the Suns signed IT that they wanted to have two of the three on the floor at all times if possible. After next summer, if TJ Warrenis ready for significant minutes they probably let Green go or trade Tucker and Ennis might be on the block if they keep Thomas. They have options. They couldn't find bigs in free agency so better to get assets on decent deals...the Thomas deal is a great one. Bledsoe's is pretty fair, especially will be in years 3-5.

McDonough has done a really good job of finding really good young talent, and Hornacek has done a great job of maximising that talent.

For me though, for the Suns to take that next step, they need to consolidate that talent, and start moving some of it around for some big man help.

I would honestly take every single player off your roster and add it to my Bulls if i could. I love what Phoenix did last season and hope they go one better and make it to the playoffs this season, but if they want to make that jump out West, they need to land a big man.

Kevin Love would have been perfect.

The names you mentioned in Green, Tucker & Thomas. Those are the guys i'd be looking at moving as well for a bigger man.

You guys will be fun to watch next season regardless, but i don't think i am speaking out of verse by saying that roster still has a lot of work to do. Fortunately, you have the assets to get it done (if managed properly).

[Zelaznyrules]

Go get your money Bledsoe.

This is what the Suns get for trying to lowball him

This makes no sense. The Bledsoe camp wanted 16 per, we wanted 12 per. We met in the middle. Sounds like a win for both sides.

[Zelaznyrules]

I think if we trade anyone it might be Thomas, but not soon. We will probably wait to see if Green stays after next summer. Or Green plays the 3 some. We also could move Tucker, let Green play the 3, let IT play pg and when he comes in leave either Dragic or Bledsoe in at the 2. Hornacek said right after the Suns signed IT that they wanted to have two of the three on the floor at all times if possible. After next summer, if TJ Warrenis ready for significant minutes they probably let Green go or trade Tucker and Ennis might be on the block if they keep Thomas. They have options. They couldn't find bigs in free agency so better to get assets on decent deals...the Thomas deal is a great one. Bledsoe's is pretty fair, especially will be in years 3-5.

McDonough has done a really good job of finding really good young talent, and Hornacek has done a great job of maximising that talent.

For me though, for the Suns to take that next step, they need to consolidate that talent, and start moving some of it around for some big man help.

I would honestly take every single player off your roster and add it to my Bulls if i could. I love what Phoenix did last season and hope they go one better and make it to the playoffs this season, but if they want to make that jump out West, they need to land a big man.

Kevin Love would have been perfect.

The names you mentioned in Green, Tucker & Thomas. Those are the guys i'd be looking at moving as well for a bigger man.

You guys will be fun to watch next season regardless, but i don't think i am speaking out of verse by saying that roster still has a lot of work to do. Fortunately, you have the assets to get it done (if managed properly).

I don't think any of us believe we're in the title hunt quite yet. We had few assets just over a year ago and now we have a playoff contending team with several quality young players. That's a lot of progress in a short amount of time. Yes, we're left with an imbalanced roster that will likely struggle at times but you have to start somewhere. Hopefully McDonough will find us another big or two in the next few years.

[kingkirk]

As kerrsed mentioned above, the negotiation process if fairly obvious.

The Suns offer their floor (4/48). Bledsoe and his team go for the ceiling (5/85).

What ends up happening? They both give up something to get something else in return.

Bledsoe loses 2m annually than he wanted, but he gets a nice deal that he wasn’t getting from another team. For the next 5 years of his life, money isn’t an issue, nor will it be for the rest of his life if he has any common sense.

For the Suns, they give up 2m more than what they wanted too, but they keep their asset and don’t lose him for nothing.

Both sides gave up ground to reach this point. Outside looking in, that would seem to be amicable to me.

Now, for me, 14m annually is more than what I would pay for him, but in comparison to others who are making similar deals or even more, I get it.

The Suns didn’t lowball him and nor did Bledsoe act like a primadonna. This is what a negotiation process is all about. The only loser I see in this process is IT or Tyler Ennis. One of them needs to go at some point.

[Jugs]

Ridiculous

[bwgood77]

I think if we trade anyone it might be Thomas, but not soon. We will probably wait to see if Green stays after next summer. Or Green plays the 3 some. We also could move Tucker, let Green play the 3, let IT play pg and when he comes in leave either Dragic or Bledsoe in at the 2. Hornacek said right after the Suns signed IT that they wanted to have two of the three on the floor at all times if possible. After next summer, if TJ Warrenis ready for significant minutes they probably let Green go or trade Tucker and Ennis might be on the block if they keep Thomas. They have options. They couldn't find bigs in free agency so better to get assets on decent deals...the Thomas deal is a great one. Bledsoe's is pretty fair, especially will be in years 3-5.

McDonough has done a really good job of finding really good young talent, and Hornacek has done a great job of maximising that talent.

For me though, for the Suns to take that next step, they need to consolidate that talent, and start moving some of it around for some big man help.

I would honestly take every single player off your roster and add it to my Bulls if i could. I love what Phoenix did last season and hope they go one better and make it to the playoffs this season, but if they want to make that jump out West, they need to land a big man.

Kevin Love would have been perfect.

The names you mentioned in Green, Tucker & Thomas. Those are the guys i'd be looking at moving as well for a bigger man.

You guys will be fun to watch next season regardless, but i don't think i am speaking out of verse by saying that roster still has a lot of work to do. Fortunately, you have the assets to get it done (if managed properly).

I agree with you. A big man is what they need. But they tried and then decided to get another asset at a good price in Thomas. He is an asset on that deal. They have a ton of guys with 2 or less years on their contracts, two first rounders next year, the year after that another first rounder and Bogdan Bogdanovic coming over. They are really excited about TJ Warren. I like where they were at. We all want a good rim protector and some want an upgrade at the 4. I wouldn't mind going after Millsap if we could next summer.

[NaturalBuns]

Rich paul got the job done.
I'm kind of surprised because I think Ryan McD is one of the best GMs aside fr
Being biased.

Glad it's over with and the contract isn't the end of the world it's not like Bledsoe is a scrub he's a real good player.
He's worth the money talent wise but the only issue of course will be health

[Liver_Pooty]

I like it for Phoenix.

[Capn'O]

Random, but looked it up using ASPM/VORP, and his estimated value last season was 8.8 mil.

Does that look at totals or averages?

Totals, here's the site:
e r
http://godismyjudgeok.com/DStats/aspm-a ... 2014-aspm/

And it's a boxscore metric, so not really the most accurate. I just kinda think its a cool idea in theory.

Thanks! As I suspected - his injury seems to have played into his low ranking here. His ASPM is much higher than those around him.

[bwgood77]

The only loser I see in this process is IT or Tyler Ennis. One of them needs to go at some point.

Probably, but if they truly want to play 2 point guards at all times, they can do so now and have depth. Always have either Dragic or Bledsoe on the floor and when one sits, put Thomas in or eventually Ennis sometimes. Ennis is really young. Archie Goodwin too. Someone will be traded out of that group, but Goodwin is super raw and Ennis is pretty raw after only one year of college, though he did lead the best team in the country for much of the year as a freshman, so he's definitely a smart, mature player for his age. I was surprised they drafted him though. Thought they were going to go Hood or Harris since he slipped.

[gaspar]

For those who don't realize how much of an impact Bledsoe has on the defensive end, here's a nice stat for you:

Top-25 lineups in minutes played last season ranked by the defensive rating:

1st Dragic-Bledsoe-Tucker-Frye-Plumlee 93.1
.
.
.
24th Dragic-Green-Tucker-Frye-Plumlee 109.5

[Kerrsed]

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