Bledsoe Contract: 5 Years, $70 million

[SirStefan32]

Entering the off-season the Suns had all sorts of flexibility. Young players. Tons of Cap space. Lots to draft picks. We were going to package those to land a big name.
Now we ended the off-season bidding against ourselves for a guy already under our control.

Is this team any better than the one that we put on the court last year?

It should be. Theoretically, since they are such a young team, every returning player should be better than they were last year.

While Thomas is not as good as Dragic or Bledsoe, he provides a lot of firepower and ensures there are two scoring PGs on the floor at any given time. Assuming Bledsoe stays healthy, that will be a lot of firepower from our combo guards. Without looking up stats, offensively, IT had better numbers than Bledsoe and was at least very close to Dragic. Goran probably shot better while OT probably had more assist.

We'll see how well Morris/ Tolliver work out to replace Frye, and I can't imagine Len and Plumlee will be worse than they were last year.

Warren looks like a promising player who will be able to contribute quickly.

I don't see how this team doesn't turn out to be better than last year's team.

 

[Ronin]

Bledsoe's statement.....
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1sbrosu

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Bledsoe's statement.....
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1sbrosu

I know this is pretty much what he has to say, but I think the whole "Bledsoe is disgruntled" thing that was swarming around the interwebs was blown at least a little out of proportion.

 

[crisper57]

It should be. Theoretically, since they are such a young team, every returning player should be better than they were last year.



While Thomas is not as good as Dragic or Bledsoe, he provides a lot of firepower and ensures there are two scoring PGs on the floor at any given time. Assuming Bledsoe stays healthy, that will be a lot of firepower from our combo guards. Without looking up stats, offensively, IT had better numbers than Bledsoe and was at least very close to Dragic. Goran probably shot better while OT probably had more assist.



We'll see how well Morris/ Tolliver work out to replace Frye, and I can't imagine Len and Plumlee will be worse than they were last year.



Warren looks like a promising player who will be able to contribute quickly.



I don't see how this team doesn't turn out to be better than last year's team.

I hope so. I think we miss Channing's ability to spread the floor more than we realize. And that will limit what all these guards can do.

 

[sunsfan88]

This contract depends on his health ESPECIALLY since its a 5 year with NO team options AT ALL in it. If he continues to miss more than 10 games/season throughout his contract, then yea we got ripped off. If he doesn't then we got a good deal.

Just to keep perspective though, Kyle Lowry, who is every bit as good as him except doesn't have anything close to the injury trouble that Bledsoe has, got just $12M/yr.

I'm not excited about the $$ in the contract, I'm excited to put this behind us and to just focus on the new season now.

 

[sunsfan88]

Bledsoe's Instagram

http://instagram.com/p/tWF-eUAX1a/

 

[Cheesebeef]

This contract depends on his health ESPECIALLY since its a 5 year with NO team options AT ALL in it. If he continues to miss more than 10 games/season throughout his contract, then yea we got ripped off. If he doesn't then we got a good deal.

Just to keep perspective though, Kyle Lowry, who is every bit as good as him except doesn't have anything close to the injury trouble that Bledsoe has, got just $12M/yr.

I'm not excited about the $$ in the contract, I'm excited to put this behind us and to just focus on the new season now.

Lowry isn't the defender Bledsoe is AND is a finished product at this point of his career, while Bledsoe is still pretty young with a lot of room for growth.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Lowry isn't the defender Bledsoe is AND is a finished product at this point of his career, while Bledsoe is still pretty young with a lot of room for growth.

And Lowry's history is arguably even more alarming than Bledsoe's injury history.

Steve

 

[devilalum]

Another way to look at it is he would have got around 4/65 on the open market, so the Suns got a 5th year for 5 mil.

 

[devilalum]

Didn't Amare sign a huge contract then get micro-fracture like 2 weeks later?

 

[ProdigalSun]

Glad to see this soap opera finally end

 

[elindholm]

Didn't Amare sign a huge contract then get micro-fracture like 2 weeks later?

Yes, nine days, if I remember correctly.

 

[Raindog]

I have no problem with the Suns bringing back Bledsoe, even at that price, assuming he doesn't turn into Eric Gordon. What they've done with the rest of the roster in anticipation of possibly losing Bledsoe, is another matter. They now have at least two, and arguably three (counting Thomas, who is a bit of luxury, now) roster spots tied up with players they don't really need - and may be on the verge of adding a fourth. And I'm not really sure that any of the players they might move ( Ennis, Goodwin, Green) have much real trade value - long range future low first and second round picks here we come.

So, to answer the question someone posted earlier, barring the possibility that Warren does have genuine impact potential (which he may), the Suns really haven't improved in any way that's going to show up in more than a couple extra regular season wins. Maybe (but only maybe) that gets you into the tail end of the playoffs, but just.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I have no problem with the Suns bringing back Bledsoe, even at that price, assuming he doesn't turn into Eric Gordon. What they've done with the rest of the roster in anticipation of possibly losing Bledsoe, is another matter. They now have at least two, and arguably three (counting Thomas, who is a bit of luxury, now) roster spots tied up with players they don't really need - and may be on the verge of adding a fourth. And I'm not really sure that any of the players they might move ( Ennis, Goodwin, Green) have much real trade value - long range future low first and second round picks here we come.

So, to answer the question someone posted earlier, barring the possibility that Warren does have genuine impact potential (which he may), the Suns really haven't improved in any way that's going to show up in more than a couple extra regular season wins. Maybe (but only maybe) that gets you into the tail end of the playoffs, but just.

Beg to differ slightly... IF Bledsoe is healthy, this team could be a 6 or 5 seed, with A LOT of cap space going into next summer. And being a playoff team, WITH a young core WILL make us much more attractive as a FA destination. Gotta get to the playoffs to be taken seriously by anyone, and this move helps us continue to get ourselves back there.

 

[JustWinBaby]

Bledsoe is either our first or 2nd best asset. We cannot let either of those get away for nothing. By signing Eric to a contract it is a big step in the right direction. It appears that we are also willing to step up to the bar when the time comes for our 2nd best asset in Goran. We must not let Goran walk for nothing in return either.

This is a good day for the Phoenix Suns. Those that are debating about a 5 year deal
versus a 4 year deal and the difference between 12 or 14 Mil per year are short sighted, IMO.

We still have plenty of room to go after additional pieces to compliment both Bledsoe and Goran. If we would not have signed Bledsoe, we would have had to find a replacement for him and still go after the additional pieces we will need to compete for a Championship. It would be better I suppose if one were a PG like Nash and the other a PF like Amare but they aren't. However they are our two best players at this point and we are keeping them. A vey good thing.

This year is a very crucial year, IMO. We should play the following guys a lot of minutes this year to see if they are part of the puzzle going forward.

Len, Plumlee, Warren, Markieff, Marcus and Green.

We also will know if the Bledsoe - Dragic backcourt is the direction we want to take going forward.

I am officially excited about this season. Let's get it on.

 

[leclerc]

Do not sign Zoran. Goodwin and Ennis need game experience so we know what we have before we trade them to Dallas to become stars.

 

[SO91]

Lowry isn't the defender Bledsoe is AND is a finished product at this point of his career, while Bledsoe is still pretty young with a lot of room for growth.

Yeah the comparison really doesn't hold water, at all. I thought 12M was a bargain, and at 14M I think it's a fair contract for both sides. As was mentioned earlier, on this forum I think, we get him until he's 29. That's his prime if he can stay healthy and productive. Aaron Nelson and the training staff better be up to the challenge.

 

[asudevil83]

Brian Windhorst @WindhorstESPN
With Bledsoe deal, Suns should have about $4.7M under salary cap. Leaves them enough to sign Zoran Dragic & help pay buyout with Malaga

https://twitter.com/WindhorstESPN

I'm hoping that this figure is using a frontloaded figure. Because if its not, then its quite low. All of our committed salary = $43mil next season. Factor in Bledsoe at 5/70 with 7.5% raises and we are at $55mil. the cap is $63mil.

So a few things are possible.

a.) Does not factor in our exceptions that we are sure to renounce because our roster is full.
b.) Bledsoe has a frontloaded contract that actually starts at $16mil, and decreasing each year.
c.) Bledsoe is getting a flat rate each year and somebody's math is wrong somewhere.

And i'll say that with a healthy Bledsoe, this deal is perfect for both parties. And there is NOTHING that would make me question the sun's medical staff on signing off on this deal. So all those who use the knee surgeries as a reason to justify this as a bad signing need to keep hush. Because a.) most if not all of you are not doctors b.) most if not all of you can relate to it c.) 100% of you have never seen or partaken in any part of Bledsoe's surgery/recovery/diagnosis/followup.

 

[sunsfan88]

You have to imagine that Dragic had a big grin on his face when he heard about the contract that Bledsoe got.

Summer of 2015 can't come soon enough for Goran.....he's probably already looking at new houses

https://homes.yahoo.com/blogs/spaces/-85-million-spec-house-for-billionaires-makowsky-155256091.html

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Maybe I'm delusional, but I imagine Goran will sign for a similar amount. In terms of value, I think most teams would consider them quite close, as Bledsoe is 4 years older.

I also think if anyone will take a hometown discount, it's Goran.

 

[sunsfan88]

Maybe I'm delusional, but I imagine Goran will sign for a similar amount. In terms of value, I think most teams would consider them quite close, as Bledsoe is 4 years older.

I also think if anyone will take a hometown discount, it's Goran.

Goran hasn't had his "big payday" contract yet so I doubt he takes the hometown discount. Plus we have had him on a great discount for the last 3 years and I'm sure he knows that.

I don't think Dragic's value will take a hit since he's 4 years older. He's only 30. Nash barely hit his prime when he was 30.

I doubt a team like the Lakers blinks before offering him that fat max contract.

 

[KloD]

Paul Coro: Eric Bledsoe's five-year, $70M #Suns contract starts at $13M with annual $500K raises. No options. No ETOs. No trade kickers. Twitter @paulcoro

Simple. Nothing fancy. If he stays healthy for the most part, good deal for both sides. If not...Ouch! I'm glad things were worked out. This season and next off season they will look to trade assets for front court top talent I'm sure. Still will have close to $5 million under the cap if they want to sign Dragic's brother. Guard heavy roster, but I'm sure many are considered assets for another deal in the future should anyone of quality become available.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I really don't care who we sign if anyone right now. No one we add at this point will be part of the regular rotation.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm hoping that this figure is using a frontloaded figure. Because if its not, then its quite low. All of our committed salary = $43mil next season. Factor in Bledsoe at 5/70 with 7.5% raises and we are at $55mil. the cap is $63mil.

So a few things are possible.

a.) Does not factor in our exceptions that we are sure to renounce because our roster is full.
b.) Bledsoe has a frontloaded contract that actually starts at $16mil, and decreasing each year.
c.) Bledsoe is getting a flat rate each year and somebody's math is wrong somewhere.

And i'll say that with a healthy Bledsoe, this deal is perfect for both parties. And there is NOTHING that would make me question the sun's medical staff on signing off on this deal. So all those who use the knee surgeries as a reason to justify this as a bad signing need to keep hush. Because a.) most if not all of you are not doctors b.) most if not all of you can relate to it c.) 100% of you have never seen or partaken in any part of Bledsoe's surgery/recovery/diagnosis/followup.

This is the way Paul Coro explains the salary structure for Bledsoe.

Paul Coro @paulcoro · 15h

Eric Bledsoe's five-year, $70M #Suns contract starts at $13M with annual $500K raises. No options. No ETOs. No trade kickers.

https://twitter.com/paulcoro

 

[JS22]

My morbid curiosity can't wait to see the Suns roll out a lineup of:

Thomas
Bledsoe
Dragic
Morris
Morris

If you want to get even crazier you can interchange Marcus with Green. That team would fly up and down the court and be a nightmare to defend against. Of course they'd be horrible in their own right defensively.

It might also give BC a heart attack.