2014 Suns Free Agency

[sunsfan88]

IMO, the Kings steal Darren Collison for a 3 year, 16M dollar deal. How I would love to have Collison backing up Dragic and Bledsoe.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/...signs-3-year-16-million-deal-sacramento-kings

Yea much rather prefer him than Tyler Ennis.

 

[elindholm]

Personally, I think the agent is angling for a better deal for Bledsoe and is using James as bait and PHX is getting played.

That's my feeling too.

 

[KloD]

That's my feeling too.

While this could be true, I fail to see how dangling James to the Suns helps Bledsoe? IMO if the Suns could get James, that would work in their favor to get a deal done with Bledsoe, not the other way. If Bledsoe wants to play on a team with his friend and be an instant contender, wouldn't it make sense that he would agree to a reasonable deal? If James doesn't come here than he will want more being he would be more of a leader. I could be wrong, but I think just the opposite of what you're suggesting (or agreeing to).

 

[Ronin]

we are not missing out on anything except desperate teams overpaying hard.

Avery Bradley for 8M$ per got to be the biggest joke so far or maybe Kyrie Irving for 5/90 with Hayward possibly for 4/60.

Hopefully the Suns don't fall into this trap.

 

[Chaz]

Not that this is any indication, but I've read James & Bosh are on vacation. Maybe they are waiting until after they return to make a decision. Personally, I think the agent is angling for a better deal for Bledsoe and is using James as bait and PHX is getting played.

I don't understand how this would even work. How would a potential deal with James cause the Suns to increase their offer for Bledsoe? Suns hold all the cards with Bledsoe but I don't see how they don't offer him a fair deal.

I suspect Bledsoe and the Suns already have a deal in place pending the Suns signing other free agents first for cap reasons or Bledsoe getting a better offer from another team.

 

[hsandhu]

Chris BroussardVerified account
‏@Chris_Broussard
Sources: Suns owner Robert Sarver was n Cleveland yesterday & met with LeBron's agent, Rich Paul. Teaming LJ/Melo or LJ/Bosh n Phx discussed


Would feel better if we were actually one of teams melo visited.

 

[overseascardfan]

I don't understand how this would even work. How would a potential deal with James cause the Suns to increase their offer for Bledsoe? Suns hold all the cards with Bledsoe but I don't see how they don't offer him a fair deal.

I suspect Bledsoe and the Suns already have a deal in place pending the Suns signing other free agents first for cap reasons or Bledsoe getting a better offer from another team.

PHX can offer him the most money since he is Bird rights. A lot of teams do not have the $$$ to sign Bledsoe and those that do are chasing guys like the Lebron, Bosh, Pau, etc. Bledsoe will want Lowry type money at least...he could very well have a deal in place with PHX but only Bledsoe, his agent and PHX management know.

PHX was rumored to be looking into trading him rather than give him a max deal, if the agent says Lebron wants Bledsoe here and Bledsoe won't sign for less than max money....that's how it works.

 

[az jam]

Chris BroussardVerified account
‏@Chris_Broussard
Sources: Suns owner Robert Sarver was n Cleveland yesterday & met with LeBron's agent, Rich Paul. Teaming LJ/Melo or LJ/Bosh n Phx discussed


Would feel better if we were actually one of teams melo visited.

We really don't want Melo but IMO an LBJ & Bosh combination would be cheaper and better.

 

[Mainstreet]

Chris BroussardVerified account
‏@Chris_Broussard
Sources: Suns owner Robert Sarver was n Cleveland yesterday & met with LeBron's agent, Rich Paul. Teaming LJ/Melo or LJ/Bosh n Phx discussed


Would feel better if we were actually one of teams melo visited.

Not enough basketballs for Melo and company.

I'd rather have Bosh to partner with Lebron if this is how it comes down.

 

[hsandhu]

You're missing the point, lebron is only going to come if suns can get melo too. Why would he come with bosh, when he can go with two elite players harden/howard.

BUT melo/lebron/bledsoe/dragic is better more versatile for today's game than lebron/harden/howard.

 

[elindholm]

We really don't want Melo but IMO an LBJ & Bosh combination would be cheaper and better.

I don't know about cheaper, but it would be better. Anthony is a better player than Bosh, probably, but Bosh is a better fit with James.

You're missing the point, lebron is only going to come if suns can get melo too.

I don't see the basis for the speculation that James is dead-set on playing with Anthony. He has to see it's a bad fit, and Anthony just isn't that good.

Why would he come with bosh, when he can go with two elite players harden/howard.

Better supporting cast?

 

[hsandhu]

I don't know about cheaper, but it would be better. Anthony is a better player than Bosh, probably, but Bosh is a better fit with James.



I don't see the basis for the speculation that James is dead-set on playing with Anthony. He has to see it's a bad fit, and Anthony just isn't that good.



Better supporting cast?

harden and howard are arguably two best players at their position, plus a very good player in parsons. That is better supporting cast than bosh (do we even know if he can still average 20 points) and suns pieces.

 

[KloD]

You're missing the point, lebron is only going to come if suns can get melo too. Why would he come with bosh, when he can go with two elite players harden/howard.

BUT melo/lebron/bledsoe/dragic is better more versatile for today's game than lebron/harden/howard.

He can't get max in Houston. Plus with those three he'd end up being in the same situation, no bench. I'm thinking this idea of 3 max players on a team may not be what he wants anymore. The Melo rumors are media driven. Sure maybe they've talked about it, but there doesn't seem to be any planning involved so I don't believe where he goes has anything to do with Melo. JMO

 

[Mainstreet]

Lakers reportedly would offer Carmelo Anthony the 97M dollar max contract.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/234117/Lakers-Offer-$97M-Max-Contract-To-Carmelo-Anthony

 

[FutureSuperstar]

harden and howard are arguably two best players at their position, plus a very good player in parsons. That is better supporting cast than bosh (do we even know if he can still average 20 points) and suns pieces.

You're making your point entirely off name recognition and "on paper" roster analysis ... The bottom line, and the only thing that matters, is WINS

The Suns had 6 less W's than the Rockets last year ... Taking away Lin/Asik from Houston (and whoever else they would let go fro Lebron) and adding Bosh to Phoenix would w/o a doubt have made Phoenix the better team last year (This is not even considering the fact that Bledsoe missed half the season)

And that was just last year ... Going forward, the Suns pieces only have room to grow, while if Lebron goes to Houston, they would have to gut their roster and would have few young guys left

 

[elindholm]

harden and howard are arguably two best players at their position, plus a very good player in parsons. That is better supporting cast than bosh (do we even know if he can still average 20 points) and suns pieces.

Neither of us knows what James wants. But the combination of three superstars in Miami basically didn't work. In the first year, James and Wade spent many awkward possessions trying to figure out who should take charge. It wasn't until the second year that James became comfortable making it his team. Wade's skills were slipping, but in the beginning, that actually helped, because it made the pecking order clearer.

As for Bosh, he seems more content to be a role player, but the Heat's lack of perimeter shooting this past season necessitated that Bosh move more outside. He can probably still be an effective low-post player -- if not at an All-Star level, at least above average for a starting PF.

Like most big men, Howard gets grumpy when he's not getting scoring touches. That will only get worse if the Rockets add James. And Harden has never been much of a catch-and-shoot guy; he's better off creating his own offense, which is part of the reason he came off the bench when he was with the Thunder.

As for the rest of the Rockets' roster, they have some decent players. But if you figure that the Suns' "big three" would be James, Bosh, and Dragic/Bledsoe, and then you line up the 4th through 7th players, there's no way the supporting cast on the Rockets could compete with Bledsoe/Dragic, Green, Markieff Morris, and Plumlee/Warren/Len.

Even with two ultrastars, the Rockets finished the regular season with only six more wins than the Suns, and then to that you can add an underwhelming 2-4 playoff record. The Suns don't have the star power that the Rockets do, but they are deeper.

 

[KloD]

PHX can offer him the most money since he is Bird rights. A lot of teams do not have the $$$ to sign Bledsoe and those that do are chasing guys like the Lebron, Bosh, Pau, etc. Bledsoe will want Lowry type money at least...he could very well have a deal in place with PHX but only Bledsoe, his agent and PHX management know.

PHX was rumored to be looking into trading him rather than give him a max deal, if the agent says Lebron wants Bledsoe here and Bledsoe won't sign for less than max money....that's how it works.

Media speculation and very few comments. The Suns have on the other hand been very consistent of wanting to work out a deal right away and with claims to match any offer. There have been zero indications that they have any interest in trading him. The only trade rumors were to Minnesota as part of a trade for Love, but Bledsoe would have to agree to go, and the rumor of an offer to Sac. which also said the Suns basically hung up and had no interest.

But, having said that. If by some remote chance that is true. In order to get that max deal for Bledsoe as you laid out than it would also mean James would be coming to the Suns. I think most of us would be ecstatic to give Bledsoe his max and get James. But, I still rail to see how the Suns are getting plaid and James is being dangled? That would imply that he has no intentions of coming to Phx and his agent is playing some game. So in that case they don't give Bledsoe the max. Not played. Poof the game doesn't work.

 

[Chaz]

PHX can offer him the most money since he is Bird rights. A lot of teams do not have the $$$ to sign Bledsoe and those that do are chasing guys like the Lebron, Bosh, Pau, etc. Bledsoe will want Lowry type money at least...he could very well have a deal in place with PHX but only Bledsoe, his agent and PHX management know.

PHX was rumored to be looking into trading him rather than give him a max deal, if the agent says Lebron wants Bledsoe here and Bledsoe won't sign for less than max money....that's how it works.

Right, but if nobody else offers him the max the Suns can basically set his value and his only recourse is to sign the qualifying offer and become a ufa next year. If someone else offers him the max I think the Suns will still match.

If Lebron wants to sign here the Suns will probably sign whomever he want here anyway.

 

[SunsTzu]

Neither of us knows what James wants. But the combination of three superstars in Miami basically didn't work. In the first year, James and Wade spent many awkward possessions trying to figure out who should take charge. It wasn't until the second year that James became comfortable making it his team. Wade's skills were slipping, but in the beginning, that actually helped, because it made the pecking order quickly.

As for Bosh, he seems more content to be a role player, but the Heat's lack of perimeter shooting this past season necessitated that Bosh move more outside. He can probably still be an effective low-post player -- if not at an All-Star level, at least above average for a starting PF.

Like most big men, Howard gets grumpy when he's not getting scoring touches. That will only get worse if the Rockets add James. And Harden has never been much of a catch-and-shoot guy; he's better off creating his own offense, which is part of the reason he came off the bench when he was with the Thunder.

As for the rest of the Rockets' roster, they have some decent players. But if you figure that the Suns' "big three" would be James, Bosh, and Dragic/Bledsoe, and then you line up the 4th through 7th players, there's no way the supporting cast on the Rockets could compete with Bledsoe/Dragic, Green, Markieff Morris, and Plumlee/Warren/Len.

Even with two ultrastars, the Rockets finished the regular season with only six more wins than the Suns, and then to that you can add an underwhelming 2-4 playoff record. The Suns don't have the star power that the Rockets do, but they are deeper.

Beyond just the players I think coaching will be an important factor as well. Will James trust McHale or a rookie HC in Cleveland(I really like Blatt but I'm unsure of his transition) to get the most out of the talent on their roster?

 

[sunsfan88]

He can't get max in Houston.

Rockets could trade Lin and have enough cap space for max contract. They reportedly already have a deal in place to trade Lin if Melo or LBJ decide to go to Houston.

 

[hsandhu]

Rockets could trade Lin and have enough cap space for max contract. They reportedly already have a deal in place to trade Lin if Melo or LBJ decide to go to Houston.

beverly/parsons (cap hold)/howard/harden = 38.6 + 3.5 million for 7 empty roster spots = 42.1 add in 20.5 for james and they are able to do it at 62.6. They have to get rid of jones/monejunas along with lin. The first two should be easy, still don't know who (especially in west to help houston) wants lin for 14 million.

Great starting 5, but only can add vet min on bench, suns could still have pj tucker and goodwin or ennis off bench after offering lebron/melo max.

 

[overseascardfan]

Right, but if nobody else offers him the max the Suns can basically set his value and his only recourse is to sign the qualifying offer and become a ufa next year. If someone else offers him the max I think the Suns will still match.

If Lebron wants to sign here the Suns will probably sign whomever he want here anyway.

The agent could be blowing smoke at PHX to get them to offer Bledsoe a max but Lebron may have no intention of leaving MIA. I know it sound absurd and would really make the agent look like an ******* but I just find it odd that a week ago PHX was gauging trade interest on Bledsoe and showed interest in Isaiah Thomas to now as people on the board believe he may have a deal in place for which I believe has to be at least the equivalent to what Lowry got. It may seem that maybe PHX has a shot to land James but I really think he stays in MIA and they use their $10M - $12M in cap space to land Gasol.

 

[elindholm]

While this could be true, I fail to see how dangling James to the Suns helps Bledsoe? IMO if the Suns could get James, that would work in their favor to get a deal done with Bledsoe, not the other way.

I see it like this:

Agent: Hey, Suns, LeBron is really thinking about playing for you guys, but LeBron wants to take care of his friends, you know? Because LeBron is all about friends and loyalty, right? So LeBron is thinking, if LeBron comes to Phoenix, what can you do for his man EB?

Suns: If you give us James, we'll max out Bledsoe. No problem.

Agent: So you're cool with Bled as a max player? Cuz we all know he's worth it, and LeBron wants that kind of player to ride with him, follow me? LeBron could stay in Miami if LeBron just wanted guys with names, but LeBron's really into the young talent that can deliver that energy, help LeBron be the best he can be, see what I mean?

Suns: It's not an issue. We can max out Bledsoe is that's what it takes to get James.

* * * five days later * * *

Agent: Yo Suns, I talked to LeBron, and LeBron loves you guys, he really does, but you know, LeBron's family really digs Miami. Or maybe it's Cleveland. But the point I'm making is, LeBron, he loves Phoenix, he really does, he thinks you guys have got it together, but LeBron is all about family, you with me? So it's not happening.

Suns: That sucks.

Agent: But we're still cool with EB, right? Cuz he's still the guy, LeBron really thinks the world of him, it sure would be nice to stay right in LeBron's eyes, you see what I mean?

Suns: I'm not sure it makes sense for us to max out Bledsoe if we don't have James.

Agent: Well now you're messin' with me, because before I thought we were cool, you had Bled down for the max, what are you pulling here? You telling me that the guy's good enough for LeBron, but he ain't good enough for you?

Suns: Maxing out Bledsoe was conditional on getting James.

Agent: Okay, I'm gonna have to tell my clients about this, and they aren't gonna be happy. Eric's done a whole lot for you guys, and everyone knows what kind of talent he is. I can get him a max offer from half the teams in this league, I know that, LeBron knows that, we all know that, even you have to know that, my friend, it's plain as day. So I guess we'll go off looking for a team where EB is going to be appreciated.

And now any possibility of working out a non-max extension for Bledsoe is gone. Sure, they can extend him for the max, but they could have promised that all along, and didn't. The agent has dangled James in order to artificially inflate Bledsoe's value, but once a hypothetical salary goes up, it never comes back down.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns should have not boarded the Lebron train because it's not leaving the station in Miami.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The agent could be blowing smoke at PHX to get them to offer Bledsoe a max but Lebron may have no intention of leaving MIA. I know it sound absurd and would really make the agent look like an ******* but I just find it odd that a week ago PHX was gauging trade interest on Bledsoe and showed interest in Isaiah Thomas to now as people on the board believe he may have a deal in place for which I believe has to be at least the equivalent to what Lowry got. It may seem that maybe PHX has a shot to land James but I really think he stays in MIA and they use their $10M - $12M in cap space to land Gasol.

Okay, this is your second comment like this. What exactly are you referring to? I was under the impression that there had been no reports and no leaks suggesting he'd be traded. Just speculation from various sources that he should be traded. What did I miss?

Steve