Official Trade Thread: How to Trade Your Dragon

[Saberestar]

I think it would be a three team's trade. We have to trade for one, and only one, player with All Star potential. I don't want more picks (see Warren and Ennis at the end of the bench) or more decent to good bench players (ala Brandon Bass).
Tobias Harris, Victor Oladipo, Nicolas Batum, Marcus Smart....we have to grab one of them. McDonough has the oportunity for redemption.

The only package that probably I would consider of role players : Patrick Beverley, Donatas Motiejunas and Pelicans pick.
Then trade Isaiah/Plumlee for Deng or Afflalo.

[NotTraxxe]

Good morning,

So my word on the meeting is that we offered to get rid of IT and asked Dragic if we gave the best offer if he would stay with Bledsoe. Dragic will not play next to Bledsoe. He wants a big market team where he is the primary ball-handling point guard.

He does not want to go to a team and will tell any teams that is not a playoff contender and where he is in his role as primary BH that he will not resign.

He specifically wants the Lakers or the Knicks. Not Houston because of the Harden/Bev factor.

The NBA seldom sees people who turn down 5 year / 100 mil deals. But we know the Lakers are likely to offer 4/80. I haven't heard about the Knicks. The dilemma is who gives up assets for him at 5/100? Not many. None, really. It's an overpay at 4/80.

The Knicks have nothing we want. The Lakers are offering crap. The Celtics if he will resign are willing to part with picks and Sullinger. But that depends on Dragic. Houston is offering Morey type deals. The Kings are sweetening but nowhere close to Cousin, so quit dreaming. The other teams can sign him in the offseason but he wants a five year deal. That's our only leverage. His bird rights.

Good chance we offload Dragic, IT, Green, and Plumlee. Zoran is gone fo sho if Dragic goes.

But we aren't trading Dragic for 2nd rounders. Lakers unwilling to give Randle and remove protection. It's a pickle. I think none of us will get what we want for Dragic. But we won't toss it down the drain, either; for nothing.

Zoran was signed for Dragic. His request. We've asked Zoran to go to the D League and he refuses utterly. We have coddled his behavior and brother for the sake of Goran. The FO was unwilling to part with Bledsoe and commit to him being the primary PG.

[Frank Lee]

You just compared a 3rd team all NBA player to Jeremy Lin. Congrats.

Yessir I sure did . Surely you remember the "Linsanity " back in 2012 , right ? Man he was the man REMEMBER ?? How's he doing now ? HA!!

A 3rd team all NBA er ? HA!!!

You come back and see me next year when Dragic makes the Varsity team.

ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET !! Was he the second coming of STEVE NASH to you ? In just 1 good year ? BRAVO!!

We get it BSfan, you are glad. You think this is a step in the right direction. I too would have hesitations getting into a bidding war for Dragic. It could have been costly to keep him. So be it. The FO pushed, and now Dragic shoves.

The true point is, this team was functioning pretty good last yr with the two PG line up. beginning to find its rhythm. Another half a season of playing together with the appropriate additions and growth of others would have likely resulted in an even better team. But... McDuh bit off more than what was chewable. The FO had what is looking like a negative off season and now has to make yet another move to correct a prior one. 1 step forward, two steps back.

Many here expected Dragic to be a lifer. I did. I like his crafty game. I liked the 2 pgs... with one on the floor at all times. That was a success. I thought, like with Bledsoe, Dragic would improve and possibly....possibly become an all star. Nobody was seriously anointing him the Next Nash. Nobody. In fact, there was far more speculation about Bledsoe's potential, still is. (Where is this defensive tasmanian devil we heard about ? He was billed as an all-defense PG was he not?)

It sure seemed like a solid back court pairing though, that was only going to get better. Too bad McDuh just didn't leave it alone.

Its all a mess. So gloat if you want, puff up and crow.... spew some more nonsense on how you think things will be in the future... but if you think things will be all better now, look again. I don't think its a stretch to say this team is borderline dysfunctional. The FO has been running damage control since June. Right now, all we have is Bled, a young developing center, and 2 6th man of the yr. No working system, no clear path other than the elusive big magical trade our pseudo wizard GM will eventually pull off. To me... McDuh may be the most overrated member of this team. We will see, as the clock is ticking.

I'm just hoping Dragic goes to a team I can follow, in the east, as I wish him well. I really feel he was let down by the FO/Ownership... he has pretty much said so. In fact, his anti Houston comments were eluding to his dislike of horsetraders like Morey (may be McDuh too?).

Don't be surprised if IT is the next one to call out the FO on their false promises.

[Sunsdeuce]

Well at least I have some good news:

@Cardschatter: Good news from Indy RT @AdamSchefter: Cardinals and Larry Fitzgerald closing in on multi-year deal that enable him to finish career in AZ.

[JJ13]

Good morning,

So my word on the meeting is that we offered to get rid of IT and asked Dragic if we gave the best offer if he would stay with Bledsoe. Dragic will not play next to Bledsoe. He wants a big market team where he is the primary ball-handling point guard.

He does not want to go to a team and will tell any teams that is not a playoff contender and where he is in his role as primary BH that he will not resign.

He specifically wants the Lakers or the Knicks. Not Houston because of the Harden/Bev factor.

The NBA seldom sees people who turn down 5 year / 100 mil deals. But we know the Lakers are likely to offer 4/80. I haven't heard about the Knicks. The dilemma is who gives up assets for him at 5/100? Not many. None, really. It's an overpay at 4/80.

The Knicks have nothing we want. The Lakers are offering crap. The Celtics if he will resign are willing to part with picks and Sullinger. But that depends on Dragic. Houston is offering Morey type deals. The Kings are sweetening but nowhere close to Cousin, so quit dreaming. The other teams can sign him in the offseason but he wants a five year deal. That's our only leverage. His bird rights.

Good chance we offload Dragic, IT, Green, and Plumlee. Zoran is gone fo sho if Dragic goes.

But we aren't trading Dragic for 2nd rounders. Lakers unwilling to give Randle and remove protection. It's a pickle. I think none of us will get what we want for Dragic. But we won't toss it down the drain, either; for nothing.

Zoran was signed for Dragic. His request. We've asked Zoran to go to the D League and he refuses utterly. We have coddled his behavior and brother for the sake of Goran. The FO was unwilling to part with Bledsoe and commit to him being the primary PG.

Thx Traxxe...yeesh, what a mess. I wonder if Dragic would still want out even if we didn't sign IT. Hoping Lakers bend over, but also don't mind Sully & pick.

[King4Day]

He specifically wants the Lakers or the Knicks. Not Houston because of the Harden/Bev factor.

He wants a contender but then says he wants to go to NY or LAL. The irony there...

I hope McD can convince him to go to Boston. I'd love to have Sullinger here.

[King4Day]

Its a team that missed the playoffs and had bad depth in the back court. Signing IT (whom I'm not wild about) may have been over kill but to categorize it as breech of trust is a joke. The only thing I could see as an actual breech was giving his brother playing time. Signing Zoran was a mistake because he probably was hoping to actually see the court (unfortunately he sucks) and I don't doubt its factored into Goran's disgruntled ways.

Goran's struggles are more related to the lack of a pick and roll partner than anything else IMO. He was having a relapse year before we started giving the 3 PG lineup much PT. I'm sure neither he nor his agent are willing to accept that as the real problem, so instead we get to deal with this melodrama.

The Suns, as a non-playoff team, should be willing to bring in talent wherever they can find it, and Goran is a good player, but not good enough to be bending over backwards for.

Nice post Phraz.

[Frank Lee]

The mighty voice from the clouds checks in.... haha

Boy, what a dramatic month the FO is having. Can you give any insight on the general demeanor of the FO ? any shoe pounding on the desk ?

I guess there is little choice for them but to suck it up and move on. 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing. I'd move Dragic today regardless. No way you can play him now, no matter what spin the FO puts on it.

[NotTraxxe]

Dragic wants to be the only and primary BH. So no, IT had little impact. It didn't help matters but rightly so his agent and he want him to be in control of the ball.

Think of it from his perspective in a big market where he is the only PG in a traditional system he stands to make a lot more bank.

Remember basketball is a business. Only fans and rare rare (Larry Fitz) guys take less money and believe in loyalty to their teams. This is a job to these guys.

If you can land your dream job, for more money, more recognition, and have a chance to go with your new company to the promise land. You do it. You do it all night long. The only thing that may keep you from it is family. Goran doesn't have that problem. He's not rooted in America.

[King4Day]

Dragic for Harris (3 way possibly), is the most realistic face saver I can see.

That'd be fantastic but it'd def have to be a 3 way as guard is not something the Magic need and Dragic wants to handle the ball. I wonder how much the Magic want for Harris.

[3rdside]

Good morning,

So my word on the meeting is that we offered to get rid of IT and asked Dragic if we gave the best offer if he would stay with Bledsoe. Dragic will not play next to Bledsoe. He wants a big market team where he is the primary ball-handling point guard.

Does nothing but reinforce the suspicion that Bledsoe was the wrong person to lay that big contract on; all stats, too much ego and no w / l delivery.

Find out soon enough.

[DirtyDez]

Well at least I have some good news:

@Cardschatter: Good news from Indy RT @AdamSchefter: Cardinals and Larry Fitzgerald closing in on multi-year deal that enable him to finish career in AZ.

Larry is being underutilized yet still staying. That's my dude right there...

[King4Day]

I read endless pages after waking up and it's so frustrating to see 75% of it being Dragic bashing.

I get the frustration but all people are doing is speculating. After reading Traxxe's message, it looks like most everyone was off on their assumptions. IT was thrown under the bus this whole time when in reality, it was due to Bledsoe.

Let's focus more on realistic trade possibilities.

I'll say this...if we're told, he will only sign with NY or LAL, then trade him to the Knicks to keep him out of the West. Too bad Shumpert wasn't still there for us to trade for.

[JJ13]

Good morning,

So my word on the meeting is that we offered to get rid of IT and asked Dragic if we gave the best offer if he would stay with Bledsoe. Dragic will not play next to Bledsoe. He wants a big market team where he is the primary ball-handling point guard.

Does nothing but reinforce the suspicion that Bledsoe was the wrong person to lay that big contract on; all stats, too much ego and no w / l delivery.

Find out soon enough.

Bledsoe is a beast who's already showing tons of improvement in last two years...and much better than Dragic was at his age - give me Bledsoe at $14m/yr all day over Dragic at $20m/yr. I love Dragic, but signing Bled was the right thing to do

[JJ13]

Well at least I have some good news:

@Cardschatter: Good news from Indy RT @AdamSchefter: Cardinals and Larry Fitzgerald closing in on multi-year deal that enable him to finish career in AZ.

Larry is being underutilized yet still staying. That's my dude right there...

I'm guessing there is a front-office role waiting for Larry when he's done. That could be another reason to stay.

[King4Day]

Good morning,

So my word on the meeting is that we offered to get rid of IT and asked Dragic if we gave the best offer if he would stay with Bledsoe. Dragic will not play next to Bledsoe. He wants a big market team where he is the primary ball-handling point guard.

Does nothing but reinforce the suspicion that Bledsoe was the wrong person to lay that big contract on; all stats, too much ego and no w / l delivery.

Find out soon enough.

Fortunately his value is still pretty high and if needed, we could always find a taker.

[SSOL]

I wouldn't trade him. Trade IT, put Drgaic back where he was last year and see what happens.

[gaspar]

Good morning,

So my word on the meeting is that we offered to get rid of IT and asked Dragic if we gave the best offer if he would stay with Bledsoe. Dragic will not play next to Bledsoe. He wants a big market team where he is the primary ball-handling point guard.

Does nothing but reinforce the suspicion that Bledsoe was the wrong person to lay that big contract on; all stats, too much ego and no w / l delivery.

Find out soon enough.

Sorry buddy, but you are either an idiot or Dragic's blind fanboy, if you think that choosing Bledsoe over Dragic was a mistake. And it's pretty obvious that it's Goran who has too much ego, not Bledsoe.

[bwgood77]

I can't imagine any scenario where we would trade Dragic to you guys and change the protection on the pick to top 10 protected.

LOL. Right???

We trade our best player AND give the Lakers more protection on their pick???? LOL.

I'm going to laugh so hard if Swaggy P gets the Lakers in 5th place and the lottery balls drop them to 6th.

We're the Suns. The Lakers are picking 5th.

I'm convinced they will somehow have the 6th worst record and end up winning the lottery.

[bwgood77]

McD dun goofed when he signed that chucker Thomas.

Thomas ran Evans out of Sac Town, now Dragic out of Phoenix?

WHY did the suns sign Thomas? Or more simplistic, why did the suns feel the need to sign another PG? Maybe Thomas wasnt the right PG to sign, but at the time, the suns had NO IDEA what Bledsoe was thinking. They made a move based on the possibility of Bledsoe taking his QO

Yes, it was a terrible move.