Goran Dragic plans to test free agency; blames struggles on 3 PG system

[sunsfan88]

Goran Dragic plans to opt out this offseason to test free agency, according to sources.

Dragic previously stated that he planned on opting out in order to re-sign a long-term deal with the Phoenix Suns.

Sources say the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers will be options for Dragic.

At issue with the Suns and Dragic is the guard logjam on the team, which Dragic addressed on Tuesday. He told AZCentral.com’s Paul Coro that the reason for some of Phoenix’s early struggles this year is, “Because there’s only one ball and we’re all point guards. That’s an easy answer.”

Dragic’s numbers have dipped this year (15.6 points, 47.5 percent shooting), and the Suns generally have had a harder time offensively.

http://mobile.sportingnews.com/arti...c-Plans-On-Testing-Open-Market-In-Free-Agency

Can't blame him one bit if he leaves. I don't think him, Bledsoe or Thomas enjoys this 3 PG system that the Suns are trying. Dragic is the only one with his contract ending soon so he gets to leave before them.

Sucks though, he had said earlier he loves it here and will resign back ASAP....a shame to know that our 3 PG has made him change his mind.

I wish we would just end all this crap and just pair Dragic with good 3 & D guy in the backcourt.

And funny, the "there's only one ball, and we're all 3 PGs" is exactly what many Suns fans have been saying.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Can't blame him one bit if he leaves. I don't think him, Bledsoe or Thomas enjoys this 3 PG system that the Suns are trying. Dragic is the only one with his contract ending soon so he gets to leave before them.

Sucks though, he had said earlier he loves it here and will resign back ASAP....a shame to know that our 3 PG has made him change his mind.

I wish we would just end all this crap and just pair Dragic with good 3 & D guy in the backcourt.

And funny, the "there's only one ball, and we're all 3 PGs" is exactly what many Suns fans have been saying.

It doesn't work without great spacing. Some of us have been saying that for more than a year now. Channing Frye almost single-handedly gave us that space. I think it's very reasonable to question the wisdom of turning your big man into a shooting guard but we're not the only team to go that direction. Hence the fairly big payday for a specialist such as Frye.

I like the idea of building a different way, one that doesn't rely on a hard-to-find specialist. I didn't think we'd do it until after the season but with those comments I wouldn't be surprised to see us move one of them in season. Hopefully we'll be able to add a good shooting guard and a quality backup power forward.

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

I'd be shocked if the Suns did not trade one of their rotation PGs before the trading deadline. I think the Suns have been all about accumulating assets (even duplicate assets at the same position) in order to make a trade later on. If the fans can see the problem, I'm sure McDonough and Hornacek see the problem as well.

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

If Goran leaves it will be on his own accord. Saver has vowed to never trade Goran again so that leaves Bled or IT on the trading block. I think Goran loves this team but it has to be frustrating to operate in this current system. Its only been 10 games so far, but peeps need to chillax until Jeff can get the kinks worked out in time.

 

[sunsfan88]

I think the Suns will regret it if they go on to keep Bledsoe/IT over Dragic.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think the Suns will regret it if they go on to keep Bledsoe/IT over Dragic.

I think the Suns prefer to keep Dragic over the other two PGs. However, the Suns might be willing to listen to offers.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The problem is that if you trade someone other than Goran, and then Goran leaves too, you are not where you want to be. The best situation is to figure this out and to win. If the Suns are going to move someone, Goran has to be on the table too. He would probably net the most value for the Suns at this moment.

Its not that I don't like Goran. I do, alot. But you cannot afford to be emotional at all in building a team at this point.

 

[Griffin]

Here's the rest of Goran's quote, so as not to take words out of context:

"It's hard. That's sacrifice. If Isaiah's playing well, he's going to stay in. Me and Eric, it depends who is playing better and who is going to be on the court. The other guy is going to be on the bench. It's the way it is. We need to embrace that."

http://www.azcentral.com/story/spor...-dragic-eric-bledsoe-struggling-nba/19191241/

 

[Sci Fi]

lol McDonough. and Hornacek as well.

Problem was giving Bledsoe the ball. Dragic would have been happy to shoot less and have the ball to make plays. Would have solved the offensive problems. This was SO easy to see.

For all those people who were dying to sign Bledsoe in the offseason, I hope you enjoy the future product. Suns will falter badly without Dragic.

 

[Sci Fi]

BTW Goran, please don't go to either of those teams. You're better than they are. LA is a dumpster fire and the same thing will happen to you in Houston. Go to Utah (they'd be awesome with you running the show), San Antonio (championships baby) or Dallas. All have great coaches that will recognize your talent.

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

The Dragon isnt going anywhere.

 

[elindholm]

If the fans can see the problem, I'm sure McDonough and Hornacek see the problem as well.

I wouldn't make that conclusion. Lots of fans saw the problem coming in advance; McDonough apparently didn't, or he would have avoided this situation altogether.

 

[Chaz]

We knew he was going to opt out. This isn't news.

What is new is someone trying to spin it that he is unhappy and is planning to leave. A lot can happen between now and next summer.

What exactly is "this situation" and how would the GM have avoided it?

People have some pre-conceived ideas that that the roster is a dis-functional mess and they are projecting that onto what they see. What I see is they have had some early season struggles in a couple of games and they have yet to settle into a regular rotation.
Far from the end of the world or the sign of a pending breakup of the team.

 

[Sci Fi]

Perhaps it's you that has preconceived ideas? For example, you think the offensive problems will work themselves out in time. Why isn't that just wishful thinking? Nothing so far indicates that the offense is improving. The Suns are 18th in offensive efiiciency. Why is this just early season struggles? Are the Mavericks struggling? No, just the opposite. They have had more changes than the Suns.

 

[Superbone]

Two words: Sean Deveney.

 

[Iceman]

This would be devastating for the suns, IMO

 

[devilalum]

The idea with the 3 PGs was that you could always have 2 of them on the floor at any given time without wearing any of them out. The problem is that the Suns are having more success lately with conventional lineups that employ one PG. Green has been awesome and I'd even like to see Green and PJ at the 2 and 3. Len's emergence playing along side Kieff is also a factor. Having the option of running 2 solid PGs out there in certain situations is cool. Having 3 quality PGs is excessive.

 

[Mainstreet]

I wouldn't make that conclusion. Lots of fans saw the problem coming in advance; McDonough apparently didn't, or he would have avoided this situation altogether.

Just my opinion, I think McDonough was busy collecting talent with upside for a future trade even if they were PGs. I still think this is the plan. It may be clumsy until the Suns get a trade they like.

 

[devilalum]

Also IT has been the best player on the court in several games. Any time you disturb the pecking order feathers will get ruffled.

 

[Chaz]

Perhaps it's you that has preconceived ideas? For example, you think the offensive problems will work themselves out in time. Why isn't that just wishful thinking? Nothing so far indicates that the offense is improving. The Suns are 18th in offensive efiiciency. Why is this just early season struggles? Are the Mavericks struggling? No, just the opposite. They have had more changes than the Suns.

The coaches and the players will work them out. They will not work themselves out.
I don't expect them to be a top team for another year or two. They are 1 year and 11 games into a complete rebuild job.

Mountains out of molehills. Some people like to play chicken little.

 

[elindholm]

Just my opinion, I think McDonough was busy collecting talent with upside for a future trade even if they were PGs. I still think this is the plan. It may be clumsy until the Suns get a trade they like.

And in the meantime, their value is decreasing because their present situation makes them all look bad. If that was his plan, it was a stupid one. Acquiring assets is fine; acquiring assets that have very little value to your own team is foolhardy.

 

[JCSunsfan]

And in the meantime, their value is decreasing because their present situation makes them all look bad. If that was his plan, it was a stupid one. Acquiring assets is fine; acquiring assets that have very little value to your own team is foolhardy.

Do you really think the rest of the league has completely forgotten what Goran did last year, or Bled or IT for that matter? Every other GM and coach knows we have three pg's and that limits the time the ball is in the hands of each. This opinion assumes the rest of the league's GM's are idiots.

 

[SirStefan32]

This would be devastating for the suns, IMO

They have no one to blame but themselves. Make your best player play second fiddle (or third, in some cases) and I guarantee you that you will lose that player. Hopefully they come to their senses, send Bledsoe packing, and put the ball in Goran's hands.

 

[Mainstreet]

And in the meantime, their value is decreasing because their present situation makes them all look bad. If that was his plan, it was a stupid one. Acquiring assets is fine; acquiring assets that have very little value to your own team is foolhardy.

I think other NBA teams know the value of the Suns rotation PGs. They are proven commodities. The Suns collected assets that will have value to another team as the season progresses. I do believe the Suns will do some type of bundle trade to clean up their roster for picks or a player they covet before the trade deadline. Player assets in the NBA is much like currency similar to draft picks.

 

[BC867]

Its only been 10 games so far, but peeps need to chillax until Jeff can get the kinks worked out in time.

That is one point of view.

The other is that an NBA team with three Point Guards (our three best players) sharing one position (especially the facilitator on the court) has more than a "kink" to work out. Time and passivity are not going to solve this dilemma.

I am thrilled that Goran went public with this. And did it early enough for the Front Office to take action before losing him.

I am also thrilled that most of the posters on this thread support the feeling that it was a bad plan from the start.

It was bound to alienate at least two of the three Point Guards. Eventually all three. Whether each is outspoken or laid back, they are three millionaires with a limited shelf life.

Now it is up to the General Manager to swallow his pride and work out a solution or be recognized as a one-trick pony whose gimmick was too cockeyed to work.

Goran has raised the debate to a new level. I believe he has done it for the good of the players, the team and the fans.