2014 Official FA Thread 2

[JMac1]

Lowery signed 4yr 48 million in Tor!!

One or two pages back. A lot of discussion on this.

Dang! I missed it

[NaturalBuns]

FWIW, Woj was jumping on Fox Sports 1, the television network, not the radio network.

Crap. Did he come on already?

Yeah stated the obvious mainly talked about Pau.
Said he doesn't see Pau getting 10-12mil unless it's with lakers

[bwgood77]

You're right, I should have worded it differently. Lowry and Bledsoe are pretty much on the same level right now, however Bledsoe is younger and most people view more room for growth in his future, whereas Lowry while not declining, probably isn't gonna get any better over the next 4 years. If we offer anything lower than 12 per, lowry's deal will definitely get brought up in the negotiations.

I agree with all that. But starting at 12 gives them a chance to negotiate. I say start at 11, let them bring up Lowry, and you say, ok, that's fair and hope they settle there.

If need be, you could bring up the injury, out half season, maybe that's why there wasn't a market, we have Dragic, but we DO want you here. But no one who has started half a season has EVER gotten a contract like this, and we feel it is fair.

I mean, has ANYONE who started only half a season gotten a contract like this? Not counting the old Webber days when there was no rookie cap.

[lilfishi22]

I agree you cannot go there with the cupboard bare and I think we agree on that. I do think they want to make a run at Love when he becomes a free agent next year and they will not be able to do that with Kobe at $25M and Bledsoe at $16+ (second year of a max salary). Despite having cap space, they are not terribly flexible this year with their cap. They have 5 players at $37M committed. Add in the charges for 8 open roster spots and they are at $41M. If they were to get an RFA at the max, they'd be at $ 57M leaving $6M to spend on 7 players. It's not much of a team.

I'll concede on this point only because I feel dirty arguing for LA to offer Bledsoe a deal.

[Fo-Real]

It's pretty clear he's referring to the much superior western conference. Arguing with that is just arguing for the sake of arguing.

Another inane comment from you. Maybe you'd like to instruct me on how to respond?

I know what he is referring to. The point remains the same. He is without peer at the small forward spot in the WC. I have a hard time believing LeBorn is afraid of anything on the basketball court and have a hard time believing he would not believe he could elevate the Suns to one of the top teams in the West. When Jordan played the East was considered stronger than the west. He did not shy away from the competition for an easier path.

Going to go out on a limb and say what I'm guessing many readers/posters are thinking...this board is a lot less enjoyable with all your know-it-all dickishness

YEP

[bwgood77]

I didn't see anyone talking about LeBron going to Phx on the General Board, like it wasn't even a consideration. So I decided to start a poll, and see what general fans thought.

I figured we would be at the bottom. But lo and behold, the general fan has us as the leader (unless it's all of you voting). I see Pass Warden did. I haven't yet.

If you see it, please hold off on voting now....lets see what others think. I think it would be interesting to see that others felt Phx was his best bet, and a good sign that we all are not just being homeristic.

Of course then we can all vote an hour or so later if we want and really impact it. But try and let fans of other teams chime in first if you can help yourself.

Edit: Oops, since I posted it, it has changed. We haven't even talked about him joining Kyrie, Wiggins, Thompson, Varejao?

Waiters and Bennett off the bench? I hear Bennett is in phenomenal shape and looking good.

[PassWarden]

I'm sorry, I skewed the results...

[Revived]

Even if you guys are right and the Bulls are clearing cap for Melo and not LeBron, that still doesn't bode well for our plan to entice LeBron to come to PHX by teaming him with 'Melo.

Especially since its looks like Bosh and Wade are more likely to stay in Miami. Bosh was supposedly the 2nd option.

Without Bosh and without Melo, who is there worthwhile that would cost us a good amount of money and be a good fit? The reason I say "good amount of money' is because we can't be cheap when telling him about whoever we are teaming him up with the rest of our cap space.

[Cutter]

You're right, I should have worded it differently. Lowry and Bledsoe are pretty much on the same level right now, however Bledsoe is younger and most people view more room for growth in his future, whereas Lowry while not declining, probably isn't gonna get any better over the next 4 years. If we offer anything lower than 12 per, lowry's deal will definitely get brought up in the negotiations.

I agree with all that. But starting at 12 gives them a chance to negotiate. I say start at 11, let them bring up Lowry, and you say, ok, that's fair and hope they settle there.

If need be, you could bring up the injury, out half season, maybe that's why there wasn't a market, we have Dragic, but we DO want you here. But no one who has started half a season has EVER gotten a contract like this, and we feel it is fair.

I mean, has ANYONE who started only half a season gotten a contract like this? Not counting the old Webber days when there was no rookie cap.

From the Suns perspective Bledsoe's injury history and short 43 games starting history are going to be big issues in contract negotiation. Also, Suns will point out the PG position is saturated with talent. Bledsoe's team will counter with his youth, future potential and the fact that when he did start he performed very well, like one of the top PG's in the league.

No way is Bledsoe worth $12 million, even though he might get it.

[bwgood77]

I'm sorry, I skewed the results...

It's ok...I'm guessing Cleveland told their board and they all ran over and voted. We do so at about 11:30 and it will turn into a landslide

[sunsbum]

Lebron never said he wanted to play with mellow and the Suns never said they wanted to sign him. What the suns did say is Hey lebron we want you in phoenix and if you dont like what we have now we will go out and get the FA of your choice. The sensationalist media ran with it and added their interpretation for clicks, follows and hits.

[toucansma]

You're right, I should have worded it differently. Lowry and Bledsoe are pretty much on the same level right now, however Bledsoe is younger and most people view more room for growth in his future, whereas Lowry while not declining, probably isn't gonna get any better over the next 4 years. If we offer anything lower than 12 per, lowry's deal will definitely get brought up in the negotiations.

I agree with all that. But starting at 12 gives them a chance to negotiate. I say start at 11, let them bring up Lowry, and you say, ok, that's fair and hope they settle there.

If need be, you could bring up the injury, out half season, maybe that's why there wasn't a market, we have Dragic, but we DO want you here. But no one who has started half a season has EVER gotten a contract like this, and we feel it is fair.

I mean, has ANYONE who started only half a season gotten a contract like this? Not counting the old Webber days when there was no rookie cap.

From the Suns perspective Bledsoe's injury history and short 43 games starting history are going to be big issues in contract negotiation. Also, Suns will point out the PG position is saturated with talent. Bledsoe's team will counter with his youth, future potential and the fact that when he did start he performed very well, like one of the top PG's in the league.

No way is Bledsoe worth $12 million, even though he might get it.

The part that stinks is if the Suns want Lebron they have to be careful not to tick off Bledsoe since they share Paul as agent (not because of any Lebron-Bledsoe friendship, but so the agent doesn't steer them all away from the Suns).

[Cutter]

I didn't see anyone talking about LeBron going to Phx on the General Board, like it wasn't even a consideration. So I decided to start a poll, and see what general fans thought.

I figured we would be at the bottom. But lo and behold, the general fan has us as the leader (unless it's all of you voting). I see Pass Warden did. I haven't yet.

If you see it, please hold off on voting now....lets see what others think. I think it would be interesting to see that others felt Phx was his best bet, and a good sign that we all are not just being homeristic.

Of course then we can all vote an hour or so later if we want and really impact it. But try and let fans of other teams chime in first if you can help yourself.

Edit: Oops, since I posted it, it has changed. We haven't even talked about him joining Kyrie, Wiggins, Thompson, Varejao?

Waiters and Bennett off the bench? I hear Bennett is in phenomenal shape and looking good.

I've been on several other Heat forums outside of Realgm, and they don't even mention the Suns as a possible destination for LBJ. They don't even talk about him leaving at all.

[bwgood77]

You're right, I should have worded it differently. Lowry and Bledsoe are pretty much on the same level right now, however Bledsoe is younger and most people view more room for growth in his future, whereas Lowry while not declining, probably isn't gonna get any better over the next 4 years. If we offer anything lower than 12 per, lowry's deal will definitely get brought up in the negotiations.

I agree with all that. But starting at 12 gives them a chance to negotiate. I say start at 11, let them bring up Lowry, and you say, ok, that's fair and hope they settle there.

If need be, you could bring up the injury, out half season, maybe that's why there wasn't a market, we have Dragic, but we DO want you here. But no one who has started half a season has EVER gotten a contract like this, and we feel it is fair.

I mean, has ANYONE who started only half a season gotten a contract like this? Not counting the old Webber days when there was no rookie cap.

From the Suns perspective Bledsoe's injury history and short 43 games starting history are going to be big issues in contract negotiation. Also, Suns will point out the PG position is saturated with talent. Bledsoe's team will counter with his youth, future potential and the fact that when he did start he performed very well, like one of the top PG's in the league.

No way is Bledsoe worth $12 million, even though he might get it.

I know. What amazes me is that people like Elhassan (who should know better) were saying he'd definitely get a max, and then other people jumped on and said the same, but obviously these guys didn't survey the landscape, teams with cap space, teams with pg needs, etc.

Sure, dumb deals are thrown out, but it's rare they get max deals...esp guys that have played a half a year...like never. Then they bring up it just takes on dumb team and point to Gordon. Yeah, well that was us and dumb Blanks and there are way fewer dumb GMs left and people are more cap cautious these days.

[SSOL]

Boozer to Miami. Calling it now.

[bwgood77]

I'm sorry, I skewed the results...

It's ok...I'm guessing Cleveland told their board and they all ran over and voted. We do so at about 11:30 and it will turn into a landslide

By the way by 11:30 I was talking Austin time, so that would be 9:30 in Phx.

[Revived]

I didn't see anyone talking about LeBron going to Phx on the General Board, like it wasn't even a consideration. So I decided to start a poll, and see what general fans thought.

I figured we would be at the bottom. But lo and behold, the general fan has us as the leader (unless it's all of you voting). I see Pass Warden did. I haven't yet.

If you see it, please hold off on voting now....lets see what others think. I think it would be interesting to see that others felt Phx was his best bet, and a good sign that we all are not just being homeristic.

Of course then we can all vote an hour or so later if we want and really impact it. But try and let fans of other teams chime in first if you can help yourself.

Edit: Oops, since I posted it, it has changed. We haven't even talked about him joining Kyrie, Wiggins, Thompson, Varejao?

Waiters and Bennett off the bench? I hear Bennett is in phenomenal shape and looking good.

Laker fans still hate us for ripping them off in the Nash trade

[Qwigglez]

Someone is gonna pick up Boozer on waiver claim, he isn't making it to free agency.

[Cutter]

Boozer to Miami. Calling it now.

Hopefully he has more pride and ring chases with Houston rather than Heat. Houston could use a PF like him, especially as cheap as they could get him.

Anyone remember what the rules for bidding on amnestied players are?

[bwgood77]

Someone is gonna pick up Boozer on waiver claim, he isn't making it to free agency.

Yeah, I was wondering what kind of bid will get him. Lakers might make a big one since he only has one year left. Expires in time for Love.