Goran Dragic: Good or Bad Deal?

[JS22]

This thread is worthy of a bump.

I know a lot of people, myself included, were frustrated that PHX couldn't get Harden.

Is it safe to say that Dragic is reaching that level? He averages a 3 fewer points but is extremely close in most every other category - and he shoots at a higher percentage. I know. It's one year. But his growth this season has been extremely impressive.

Over his last 10 games he's putting up 22/7/5. Basically carrying this team during the absence of Bledsoe. I really, really, like Bledsoes potential but I'm a little worried that the Suns are going to throw the max at him and end up regretting it. Is there a chance that they'd look to spend their money elsewhere?

I'm glad I'm not the GM because that is going to be an incredibly difficult decision.

 

[sunsfan88]

If I had to rank them in order of my own preference regardless of contracts, not going to look up any statistics right now

1st tier Paul, Westbrook, Irving, Rose, Lillard
2nd tier Bledsoe, Rondo, Wall, Jennings, Rubio, Holiday, Curry, Williams, Parker
3rd tier Vasquez, Walker, Nash, Felton, Conley, Lawson, Dragic, Shved, Lin, Calderon, Hill, Knight, Collison

Bledsoe should be our #1 offseason target. He fits the rebuilding motive. He is incredibly efficient player that needs more minutes and young. His PER is insanely high. (Actually just looked it up his PER dropped to 20 which is still high, earlier it was up around near 24)

What if I told you that we can get Bledsoe while KEEPING Dragic?

And I'm interested to know what your PG "ranking" looks like now.

 

[devilalum]

Its crazy how many similarities there are between his and Nash's trajectory. Both started with the Suns, both were traded away, both PGs, both signed back as free agents. Both reaching their potential on return. Both big parts of resurrecting the team...

Sure Nash is a different type of player and a 2 time MVP............

 

[elindholm]

I really, really, like Bledsoes potential but I'm a little worried that the Suns are going to throw the max at him and end up regretting it. Is there a chance that they'd look to spend their money elsewhere?

I'd hope so. You can't get top value out of both Dragic and Bledsoe while playing them simultaneously. Sure, it would be great to have either as the other's backup, but that's not a smart use of funds. Either one can be an above-average PG, but neither can ever be more than a mediocre SG. Why make a mediocre SG a part of your long-term core?

 

[devilalum]

I'd hope so. You can't get top value out of both Dragic and Bledsoe while playing them simultaneously. Sure, it would be great to have either as the other's backup, but that's not a smart use of funds. Either one can be an above-average PG, but neither can ever be more than a mediocre SG. Why make a mediocre SG a part of your long-term core?

I totally disagree. The 2 of them have only played 20 games together and already they've shown flashes of brilliance. We discussed this before, there has never been a backcourt with their unique skill set. Give them a chance. Re-sign Bledsoe and if its not working out by the end of next season you can always trade one of them.

 

[SirStefan32]

I'd hope so. You can't get top value out of both Dragic and Bledsoe while playing them simultaneously. Sure, it would be great to have either as the other's backup, but that's not a smart use of funds. Either one can be an above-average PG, but neither can ever be more than a mediocre SG. Why make a mediocre SG a part of your long-term core?

I am with Eric on this. This post pretty much describes how I feel about this.
I think forcing them to play together is doing a huge disservice to both of them. Let Dragic run wild, and have Ish and Barbs back him up. Spend your money on a PF, and a swingman or two.

 

[carrrnuttt]

I totally disagree. The 2 of them have only played 20 games together and already they've shown flashes of brilliance. We discussed this before, there has never been a backcourt with their unique skill set. Give them a chance. Re-sign Bledsoe and if its not working out by the end of next season you can always trade one of them.

We also have a coach uniquely suited to (and apparently, great at) coaching PG tandems. I say you run with it until it proves to be a bad thing (which it hasn't).

 

[SirStefan32]

What if I told you that we can get Bledsoe while KEEPING Dragic?

And I'm interested to know what your PG "ranking" looks like now.

I know that was a jab at Slin, but it got me to think about how I would rank PGs, and especially where I would put Dragic.

I have to say that I would put him in the first tier at this point- maybe slightly behind Rose, Paul, Curry and Westbrook (two of them looking as if though they will be chronically injured.)

I don't know what the hell happened to Dragic, but he has been consistently incredible. He'd show flashes of this before, but I have never seen him be this consistent. If this is, indeed, the new "normal" for Dragic, I think we may have our next Superstar.

 

[SirStefan32]

We also have a coach uniquely suited to (and apparently, great at) coaching PG tandems. I say you run with it until it proves to be a bad thing (which it hasn't).

I think you are missing what we are saying (Well, what I am saying anyway- can't really speak for Eric and others.)
I am not saying that Bledsoe/ Dragic duo is a bad thing. It is not a bad thing- it's just that I think we could have a better thing for the money it will take to keep Bledsoe and Dragic together.

 

[Catlover]

It's so hard to tell which scenario plays out best for us but right now we have two high quality players. Even if playing and paying both of them turns out to be a less than ideal situation, I'd rather keep them than let one go and replace him with a lesser talent. I don't see us finding an equal talent to the one that basically fell into our laps this past offseason. Players with Bledsoe's potential don't become available all that often. I'm surprised so many of you are so willing to set him free. He's going to get the max from someone and unless we get the equivalent of a max player in return we're giving away value.

 

[Catlover]

I think you are missing what we are saying (Well, what I am saying anyway- can't really speak for Eric and others.)
I am not saying that Bledsoe/ Dragic duo is a bad thing. It is not a bad thing- it's just that I think we could have a better thing for the money it will take to keep Bledsoe and Dragic together.

This game is still about stars. Bledsoe and Dragic have been showing top 20 potential this season. We're going to be hard pressed to get equal value for either player because most teams are unwilling to part with star players. Usually when they are willing it's because the star comes with a lot of warts. Right now these two players look to be solid on the court and in the locker room and I find it hard to believe we'll come out even in any deal that sends one of these guys packing.

 

[Mainstreet]

This game is still about stars. Bledsoe and Dragic have been showing top 20 potential this season. We're going to be hard pressed to get equal value for either player because most teams are unwilling to part with star players. Usually when they are willing it's because the star comes with a lot of warts. Right now these two players look to be solid on the court and in the locker room and I find it hard to believe we'll come out even in any deal that sends one of these guys packing.

Let me see, do the Suns want one star (Dragic) or two stars (Dragic and Bledsoe) with the potential to sign a third star at the trading deadline using Okafor's contract? Or maybe even trade for a star come draft time. I'll take two stars with the potential for a third.

One or two stars... the answer is two, so I think we agree.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I don't know what the hell happened to Dragic, but he has been consistently incredible. He'd show flashes of this before, but I have never seen him be this consistent. If this is, indeed, the new "normal" for Dragic, I think we may have our next Superstar.

My theory is it's his offseason summer where he was captain of the Slovenian national team. He had to carry an underdog team night in and night out as the elder statesman on the team and I think a lot of that carried over to the Suns.

It's similar to that year Nash played on the Canadian national team and then came back the next year (on Dallas) and doubled his averages.

 

[Catlover]

My theory is it's his offseason summer where he was captain of the Slovenian national team. He had to carry an underdog team night in and night out as the elder statesman on the team and I think a lot of that carried over to the Suns.

It's similar to that year Nash played on the Canadian national team and then came back the next year (on Dallas) and doubled his averages.

It probably contributed a little bit to his growth but I believe a lot of this maturing had already taken place. Unfortunately the squad he was a part of last season was so ineffectual it was hard to see the steps he had already taken to becoming a more complete player. There was a mishmash of agendas last year that kept the team from becoming a functioning unit. It would have been hard for anyone to shine in that environment.

 

[Sci Fi]

My theory is it's his offseason summer where he was captain of the Slovenian national team. He had to carry an underdog team night in and night out as the elder statesman on the team and I think a lot of that carried over to the Suns.

It's similar to that year Nash played on the Canadian national team and then came back the next year (on Dallas) and doubled his averages.

I wholeheartedly agree. His confidence soared there. And he was fabulous. You could see it carry right on over to the first game of the year. Lately, his shot has also improved just adding to that confidence.

 

[Sci Fi]

It probably contributed a little bit to his growth but I believe a lot of this maturing had already taken place. Unfortunately the squad he was a part of last season was so ineffectual it was hard to see the steps he had already taken to becoming a more complete player. There was a mishmash of agendas last year that kept the team from becoming a functioning unit. It would have been hard for anyone to shine in that environment.

Indeed, Gentry was the problem. But Dragic still didn't have the confidence he has this year until Eurobasket.

 

[SirStefan32]

My theory is that he knows the Suns will need to make a choice between him and Bledsoe, and he really doesn't want to be traded again, so that lit a fire under his arse.

 

[Catlover]

My theory is that he knows the Suns will need to make a choice between him and Bledsoe, and he really doesn't want to be traded again, so that lit a fire under his arse.

So he's a lazy butt and the only reason he's willing to finally play hard is because he doesn't want to relocate? Time to trade him then, players like that will disappear the moment you give them the slightest chance to do so.

 

[devilalum]

IMO having a wife and being a new father took his focus, maturity and dedication to a new level.

 

[Mainstreet]

My theory is Dragic is peaking as a player at age 27. Dragic has always played hard but this is the first time he has put the whole game together. When Dragic probes the baseline and circles around the key and then goes back inside or passes the ball all while keep his dribble alive, I can't help but think of Steve Nash. Sometimes it takes awhile for things to click.

Dragic's stats seem to indicate he is peaking as well.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dragigo01.html

 

[Sci Fi]

Please stop with the peaking theory. I've been hearing it for several years. Hell, he seem's to get better by the week.

 

[Catlover]

Please stop with the peaking theory. I've been hearing it for several years. Hell, he seem's to get better by the week.

I think he means peaking as in "hitting his stride" rather than "nowhere to go but down".

 

[sunsfan88]

I know that was a jab at Slin, but it got me to think about how I would rank PGs, and especially where I would put Dragic.

I have to say that I would put him in the first tier at this point- maybe slightly behind Rose, Paul, Curry and Westbrook (two of them looking as if though they will be chronically injured.)

I don't know what the hell happened to Dragic, but he has been consistently incredible. He'd show flashes of this before, but I have never seen him be this consistent. If this is, indeed, the new "normal" for Dragic, I think we may have our next Superstar.

That's where I would put him as well but I would probably put Wall and maybe Parker ahead of him that's it.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think he means peaking as in "hitting his stride" rather than "nowhere to go but down".

Correct. I was referring to when players hit optimal performance in their career. Usually this is easily visible by reviewing career stats.

 

[95pro]

I know that was a jab at Slin, but it got me to think about how I would rank PGs, and especially where I would put Dragic.

I have to say that I would put him in the first tier at this point- maybe slightly behind Rose, Paul, Curry and Westbrook (two of them looking as if though they will be chronically injured.)

I don't know what the hell happened to Dragic, but he has been consistently incredible. He'd show flashes of this before, but I have never seen him be this consistent. If this is, indeed, the new "normal" for Dragic, I think we may have our next Superstar.

since this is Bledsoe's second stint with knee issues, is he also looking to be chronically injured?