Official Trade Thread: Kind of a Drag...ic

[Revived]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/569295993050669056[/tweet]

If he can help our rebounding, I'm all for it.

[Tahleron]

the Truth hurts fellas

Our front office BUNGLED this one.... and its going to have lasting repercussions. Tough couple of days in the war room.
Just when we were cleaning off from the last turdstorm, we get dunked right back into the loo. Name another organization that has had as much turmoil in the past 10 yrs. 6 GMs and 5 coaches. Players (and GD good ones) exiting under dubious terms/feelings. Owner making an ass of himself... goddammit, it was just looking like they had finally put all that behind them with a fresh start.

Back to square one with player/fan relations. Nice going. When you make such a big stink, people believe you smell. Now we have a stench on us.

You obviously don't pay attention to the rest of the NBA. Are we the the only team in the league that has issues? There are plenty of players on winning organizations that are a locker room cancer though you just don't hear about it.

Dragic **** the SUNS and they will never forget what happened. Dragic doesn't realize that you shouldn't burn bridges with ANY organization no matter how bad the situation might be. He will regret this decision and I will just link back to this post

It's funny so many are so butt hurt about what Dragic did. I'm kind of glad things played out the way they did because it gave us the trigger and a team like the Heat the guts to give up real value for him since they were convinced he would re-sign there. Rather that than keep a silent, yet unhappy Dragic and see him leave in the summer. Glad we got two picks, glad we got rid of Thomas and got another pick, and also like Knight.

I am curious what happened with the agent and Dragic and stuff. I don't really blame Dragic for wanting out as I thought the team made moves they didn't need to and didn't utilize him well this year. It's good for him and us that he left and we all benefit.

Everyone involved made some mistakes here, but what needed to be done is done. Time to move on and stop bickering among each other here. The chemistry on this board sometimes is worse than the Suns for the first half of the season.

In the wash up, the Dragic thing ended ok considering senile Pat went Billy King on his organization (and man will he look awful in that slow paced offense that Miami runs ). His agent has screwed him, as i see the outcome of this slow ball costing him millions, all so his agent could make the larger % he gets out of some local marketing deals (if i remember correctly, agents get about 4% for contracts and 25% for marketing deals), perhaps it's deserved though.

Me personally, I'm more annoyed at that Lakers pick being sent off for another god damned point guard, and one given the impending salary cap explosion to take the QO if the offer isn't godfather enough.

[Frank Lee]

exactly Mr T .... would have been fine with most here to just play out the yr w/o that last deal.... Get Enis and Goodwin some real playing time. but Mcduh had to try to trump up a good move because he got his knuckles wrapped. I'm not high on picks, but having a top one is a heck of a lot different than the mids. And that pick could easily be a 5 or 6 eventually. I don't know wtf he was thinking. Its not like he could not get Knight this summer. Grade D

[Superhuman]

On another note, I don't think Bledsoe will ever be an all-star. So far he's gotten a big fat F since the spotlight has been his.

Really? He's already a great defensive point guard, which we haven't had in a long ass time. He's 25 years old and not even in his prime. You don't think that he could, I don't know, get better?

The only thing that might hinder him would be that he plays in the west, but I don't see why he couldn't be in the all star discussion down the road.

[sunsbum]

On another note, I don't think Bledsoe will ever be an all-star. So far he's gotten a big fat F since the spotlight has been his.

Really? He's already a great defensive point guard, which we haven't had in a long ass time. He's 25 years old and not even in his prime. You don't think that he could, I don't know, get better?

The only thing that might hinder him would be that he plays in the west, but I don't see why he couldn't be in the all star discussion down the road.

I never said he can't get better, although I think his ceiling isn't much higher than where its at now.

Never bought into the Bledsoe hype that many here have. Just not seeing the "it" factor.

I can definitely say he will never be on the same page as Westbrook whom so many compared him to if it weren't for dragic holding him down.

[aim2please]

I think your GM did great in Dragic deal, both of those picks have upside and getting that 2021 unprotected pick is huge. It reminds me a bit of our trade with Nets. Also, giving 29y old Dragic five year 90-100M is a scary thought.

I didn't really liked the Knight deal, seamed like an overpay and don't know will he accept playing off the ball. One thing that is being overlooked though, and what makes losing that LAL 2016 pick look better is this tweet. Looks like 2016 will be one of the worst drafts in years. Anyway, your team is fun to watch, good luck

[tweet]https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/568470780855652352[/tweet]

[TASTIC]

Wright is fine as the back-up C, he just needs a PF next to him that can stretch the D so he can work inside.

That Bulls front-line crushes everyone, but yeah some more boards/ANY sort of production from Kieff was sorely needed...

[NavLDO]

You obviously don't pay attention to the rest of the NBA. Are we the the only team in the league that has issues? There are plenty of players on winning organizations that are a locker room cancer though you just don't hear about it.

Dragic **** the SUNS and they will never forget what happened. Dragic doesn't realize that you shouldn't burn bridges with ANY organization no matter how bad the situation might be. He will regret this decision and I will just link back to this post

It's funny so many are so butt hurt about what Dragic did. I'm kind of glad things played out the way they did because it gave us the trigger and a team like the Heat the guts to give up real value for him since they were convinced he would re-sign there. Rather that than keep a silent, yet unhappy Dragic and see him leave in the summer. Glad we got two picks, glad we got rid of Thomas and got another pick, and also like Knight.

I am curious what happened with the agent and Dragic and stuff. I don't really blame Dragic for wanting out as I thought the team made moves they didn't need to and didn't utilize him well this year. It's good for him and us that he left and we all benefit.

Everyone involved made some mistakes here, but what needed to be done is done. Time to move on and stop bickering among each other here. The chemistry on this board sometimes is worse than the Suns for the first half of the season.

In the wash up, the Dragic thing ended ok considering senile Pat went Billy King on his organization (and man will he look awful in that slow paced offense that Miami runs ). His agent has screwed him, as i see the outcome of this slow ball costing him millions, all so his agent could make the larger % he gets out of some local marketing deals (if i remember correctly, agents get about 4% for contracts and 25% for marketing deals), perhaps it's deserved though.

Me personally, I'm more annoyed at that Lakers pick being sent off for another god damned point guard, and one given the impending salary cap explosion to take the QO if the offer isn't godfather enough.

Yep. Absolutely agree. He may find his groove there; anything is possible, I suppose. But I don't see him putting up the numbers he did last year with us.

And just out of curiosity, since I don't live in the Phx area...how many local commercials has Dragic done there in Phx. As he didn't leave on good terms, at least not with the majority of fans, I'd expect any brand that was advertised being associated with Dragic to quickly be taken off the air--I'd be pretty ticked, especially if it was very recently.

And also spot on, there bwgood. Mistakes were made by both parties, but what Dragic and his agent did was both childish and unwarranted. If he wanted to voice his displeasure with the Suns organization, he could have EASILY waited until after he was traded. And he and his agent could have confidentially requested he be traded to NY, LA, or Mia, and allow the Suns to negotiate on an even level with other GMs. Ultimately, McD was severely disadvantaged in trade discussions with other teams. SAC was seriously considering Dragic, but as soon as the information was made public, Sac pretty much shut down. Some may think 'well, that was smart then, since he was traded to where he wanted to go instead of Sac', but it's not necessarily about where he goes, but about what Sac would have offered. There's always the opportunity to tell Riley, 'Sac just offered us blank and blank, so if you want Dragic, we'll want blank and blank'. But since Riley was aware of all the info, all he had to worry about, as far as worthwhile offers, were what LA/NY were willing to trade, and we all know they didn't have jack.

So yeah, Dragic forced McD's hand and the only respectable offer he would get would be from those three teams. And to me, that was extremely petty and selfish on Dragic's part, and I, along with most assuredly, 1000s of fans, lost a ton of respect for Goran and what he did. He 'pooped' on this team, and on us fans. I'm not one to typically be negatively judgmental of people, but in this case, I am, and will be for a long time. So for those that feel McD and Babby were petty in their responses, just remember what Dragic just did to us this last week. A package of 2017 and 2021 1st Rd picks and a 'has been' was nowhere near fair value for Dragic, but the fact that McD got even that much, is impressive, considering the disadvantaged position he was negotiating from.

So when we don't make the playoffs, because we didn't get any worthwhile players in this trade with Dragic, it created a 'trickle' effect and were almost forced into the Knight trade because of it, and losing the LAL 1st. McD may have been able to squeeze a decent G from another team in a 3 team trade, or grab Cole, or even get someone like Deng or Whiteside, or who knows!!

Dragic singlehandedly forced McD's hand into the follow trades that were made--I have no doubt in my mind. There was a reason the following trades weren't made until the Dragic deal was done. Had McD wanted to complete those other trades as they were, he would've pulled the trigger, but he had to wait to see what became of Dragic, and thus, created the 'ripple' that followed with the Knight and IT trades.

I for one, am disgusted with what Dragic did, and feel the comments made by the Suns Mgmt following the trade were absolutely warranted, and were relatively benign in comparison. But let's say some believe that those comments do affect whether other players consider coming here. Remember, what Dragic said about trust was likely worse than anything McD or Babby said. To publicly come out and 'shame' our Front Office about a lack of trust, and after they went out and brought in his brother on a contract that was higher than deserved JUST to placate Goran, is plain wrong.

Kid yourselves all you want, but Dragic literally spit on our beloved franchise, and for that, I am thoroughly disgusted. Yeah, McD and Babby, and Sarver may have created the environment that spurred those comments. And yes, they are held accountable as well. But what Dragic did on his way out was unprofessional, at best, but more so, he effectively drove a dagger into the heart of the Suns' fan base.

OK, off my soap box! Sorry--just felt a need to vent!

[asubennett]

On another note, I don't think Bledsoe will ever be an all-star. So far he's gotten a big fat F since the spotlight has been his.

Really? He's already a great defensive point guard, which we haven't had in a long ass time. He's 25 years old and not even in his prime. You don't think that he could, I don't know, get better?

The only thing that might hinder him would be that he plays in the west, but I don't see why he couldn't be in the all star discussion down the road.

I never said he can't get better, although I think his ceiling isn't much higher than where its at now.

Never bought into the Bledsoe hype that many here have. Just not seeing the "it" factor.

I can definitely say he will never be on the same page as Westbrook whom so many compared him to if it weren't for dragic holding him down.

People 3-4 years ago, when the Thunder lost to the Heat in the finals, said Westbrook was a chucker, that he could not co-exist with Durant and that he was just a volume scorer.

They overlooked the fact that he consistently, then grabbed, 5 boards and dished 7 dimes a game with his relentless on ball defense AND his ho hum 20pts a game. Now, as Westbrook enters his prime look at what he is doing.

People forget how young Bled is. This guy has the potential to be special.

CASE IN POINT - I was sitting row 2 at the Bulls game last night. Bled only had 31 minutes of action and after the first quarter I was ready for him to be benched (5 turnovers) - But from the 2nd quarter on he only had 1 turnover. He also shot well over 50% from the field. Before I knew it he 8 assists and 7 boards to go along with 13 points on only 8 shots.

That is super efficient team basketball.

Knight has the ability to do similar things. If we can get both of those guys doing their thing to the tune of

Bledsoe - 18ppg, 8apg, 6rpg
Knight - 21ppg, 6apg, 5rpg

Then we will be set up well for a long time. The only thing we need is a more consistent post threat / pick and roll threat than Markeif Morris. Patience with this team. I for one am excited about what I saw.

SIDE NOTE - I sat next to a girl and her boyfriend whose father was the best man in Paul Coro's wedding. He hooked her up with the tickets and came by to say hello after the game. SECONDARY SIDE NOTE - The Bulls fans were super impressed with the talent the Suns posses but were less than thrilled with our play calling and rotations. Hornacek needs to do better in my opinion.

[NTB]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/569543707004936193[/tweet]

[SarcasticSun]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/status/569543707004936193[/tweet]

Yeah we closed out the game with that lineup I believe. I'm usually hesitant on lineups with both Morris twins, they seem to get tunnel vision and only pass to each other. Marcus was shooting well yesterday though and Knight is new so I understand the decision, I think in the future Knight is in for Marcus to close game.

[HootieRules]

I keep seeing the 5 years 100 million said matter-of-factly for what Dragic will get paid. That's the number coming from his camp. There's no guarantee any team will actually give him that.

Lost in seeing Dragic leave, I have my doubts on Eric Bledsoe being the point guard for a playoff level team. Especially in the West, you need your primary ballhandler to bring it every night. Can anyone that actually watches this team night in and night out make that claim about Bledsoe? He coasts and is downright lazy at times. When he gets to the rim, he looks to draw contact more than to actually finish. Comparing him to a guy like Westbrook is ridiculous.

[asubennett]

I keep seeing the 5 years 100 million said matter-of-factly for what Dragic will get paid. That's the number coming from his camp. There's no guarantee any team will actually give him that.

Lost in seeing Dragic leave, I have my doubts on Eric Bledsoe being the point guard for a playoff level team. Especially in the West, you need your primary ballhandler to bring it every night. Can anyone that actually watches this team night in and night out make that claim about Bledsoe? He coasts and is downright lazy at times. When he gets to the rim, he looks to draw contact more than to actually finish. Comparing him to a guy like Westbrook is ridiculous.

Hes clearly nothing like Westbrook but hes the third most athletic pg in the nba behind westbrook and waal.

His arm length is extrenely disruptive on D and strong enough to deal with switches. Also one of best rebounding pgs ive ever seen.

Bled is significantly better than Dragic. Period.

[HootieRules]

If Knight gets a contract this summer, the Suns are committing to the most expensive backcourt in the West - a backcourt not comprised of an all-star. A backcourt comprised of two tweener point guards that the history of the league tells us would be a questionable fit. Yikes. At best, it's gambling on youth and potential and hoping it works out. At worst, it's being downright arrogant and reckless and could set the franchise back for years.

The blame for what happened to Dragic can go a number of different directions. Some will say Dragic went off his rocker. Some will say it's alarming the front office handled it the way the did, both letting it get to the stage it did and the press conference afterwards. Giving up that Lakers pick for Knight legitimately makes me question if the franchise knows what it's doing or is taking orders from Sarver to put bandaids on bullet wounds and sell as many tickets in the short term and disregard the future.

It's a shame that a poster like Frank gets his fandom questioned and labeled as "negative" when simply questioning the direction of a franchise when the questions are absolutely warranted right now.

[RunDogGun]

I keep seeing the 5 years 100 million said matter-of-factly for what Dragic will get paid. That's the number coming from his camp. There's no guarantee any team will actually give him that.

Lost in seeing Dragic leave, I have my doubts on Eric Bledsoe being the point guard for a playoff level team. Especially in the West, you need your primary ballhandler to bring it every night. Can anyone that actually watches this team night in and night out make that claim about Bledsoe? He coasts and is downright lazy at times. When he gets to the rim, he looks to draw contact more than to actually finish. Comparing him to a guy like Westbrook is ridiculous.

I can agree with the lazy part. He doesn't bring it every night like KJ would (since Jeff envisioned Bledsoe in that role). Who knows with Knight bringing it every night, it may make Bledsoe step up more. He definetly has the skills to crush many teams defensively. The thing is can he get super intense on the defensive end and stay in control of the offense? Time will tell.

[RunDogGun]

If Knight gets a contract this summer, the Suns are committing to the most expensive backcourt in the West - a backcourt not comprised of an all-star. A backcourt comprised of two tweener point guards that the history of the league tells us would be a questionable fit. Yikes. At best, it's gambling on youth and potential and hoping it works out. At worst, it's being downright arrogant and reckless and could set the franchise back for years.

The blame for what happened to Dragic can go a number of different directions. Some will say Dragic went off his rocker. Some will say it's alarming the front office handled it the way the did, both letting it get to the stage it did and the press conference afterwards. Giving up that Lakers pick for Knight legitimately makes me question if the franchise knows what it's doing or is taking orders from Sarver to put bandaids on bullet wounds and sell as many tickets in the short term and disregard the future.

It's a shame that a poster like Frank gets his fandom questioned and labeled as "negative" when simply questioning the direction of a franchise when the questions are absolutely warranted right now.

Well he didn't just question them, he down right gave blame, even citing rumors as evidence. Oh well, still way too much negativity on this board lately. Blame goes all around, but in the end, who cares who is to blame? It's what the team does now going forward. Curry will get a better deal, and Thompson will make money, so I doubt Bled/Knight would be the most paid for long, if that is true. Rose/Butler can be thought of the same. Or what about Parker/Lenard if he gets what he should?

[JMac1]

If Knight gets a contract this summer, the Suns are committing to the most expensive backcourt in the West - a backcourt not comprised of an all-star. A backcourt comprised of two tweener point guards that the history of the league tells us would be a questionable fit. Yikes. At best, it's gambling on youth and potential and hoping it works out. At worst, it's being downright arrogant and reckless and could set the franchise back for years.

The blame for what happened to Dragic can go a number of different directions. Some will say Dragic went off his rocker. Some will say it's alarming the front office handled it the way the did, both letting it get to the stage it did and the press conference afterwards. Giving up that Lakers pick for Knight legitimately makes me question if the franchise knows what it's doing or is taking orders from Sarver to put bandaids on bullet wounds and sell as many tickets in the short term and disregard the future.

It's a shame that a poster like Frank gets his fandom questioned and labeled as "negative" when simply questioning the direction of a franchise when the questions are absolutely warranted right now.

Exactly: That is why I keep thinking Bledsoe trade. Also as one above just mentioned, Blesoe is not a leader yet with his on court play. If you can move Bledsoe and some of those picks for someone to go beside Len....

The remainder of this season is a trial run for Eric and Brandon. We can sign and trade Brandon as well. I think/hope Archie will be the opposite combo guard with either Bledsoe or Knight. Pick up Jordan, Monroe or whomever will give us a solid big next to Len and bring the MO Bros off of the bench.

Bledsoe or Knight
Goodwin (2016 better version with a better shot, handles, and BB IQ)
Tucker
Len
Jordan or Monroe or Love at PF and Len at C

[JMac1]

I keep seeing the 5 years 100 million said matter-of-factly for what Dragic will get paid. That's the number coming from his camp. There's no guarantee any team will actually give him that.

Lost in seeing Dragic leave, I have my doubts on Eric Bledsoe being the point guard for a playoff level team. Especially in the West, you need your primary ballhandler to bring it every night. Can anyone that actually watches this team night in and night out make that claim about Bledsoe? He coasts and is downright lazy at times. When he gets to the rim, he looks to draw contact more than to actually finish. Comparing him to a guy like Westbrook is ridiculous.

I can agree with the lazy part. He doesn't bring it every night like KJ would (since Jeff envisioned Bledsoe in that role). Who knows with Knight bringing it every night, it may make Bledsoe step up more. He definetly has the skills to crush many teams defensively. The thing is can he get super intense on the defensive end and stay in control of the offense? Time will tell.

Not enough and at 25?! He lacks mental focus and toughness in my eyes. But at times I am like wow, the dude has skills and ability. He needs a pull up J and consistent 3 ball (38% or better).

[bwgood77]

And also spot on, there bwgood. Mistakes were made by both parties, but what Dragic and his agent did was both childish and unwarranted. If he wanted to voice his displeasure with the Suns organization, he could have EASILY waited until after he was traded. And he and his agent could have confidentially requested he be traded to NY, LA, or Mia, and allow the Suns to negotiate on an even level with other GMs. Ultimately, McD was severely disadvantaged in trade discussions with other teams. SAC was seriously considering Dragic, but as soon as the information was made public, Sac pretty much shut down. Some may think 'well, that was smart then, since he was traded to where he wanted to go instead of Sac', but it's not necessarily about where he goes, but about what Sac would have offered. There's always the opportunity to tell Riley, 'Sac just offered us blank and blank, so if you want Dragic, we'll want blank and blank'. But since Riley was aware of all the info, all he had to worry about, as far as worthwhile offers, were what LA/NY were willing to trade, and we all know they didn't have jack.

My thoughts on this are that this always happens with an impending free agent. You rarely see a team give up much in a deal when a guy can leave without assurances he will stay. LAL did for Dwight (well maybe not so much given what ended up with Bynum) but they convinced himself he would stay because it's the Lakers.

Even if their wasn't a "list" of preferred teams or whatever a team like Sac would have definitely did their homework and find out if he would be willing to re-sign there. I certainly don't think they (or anyone) would have given up as much as two first rounders for him without knowing he would likely stay.

But perhaps he had more trade value for a guaranteed two months of play than I suspect.

[NTB]

When will T-Rob decide?