Kentucky and the draft

[Yuma]

OK. at #4 DE'AARON FOX PG - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2017/ ©DraftExpress is not a stretch.

Malick Monk is also in that range, but a SG, so not as likely.

Plus draft express has us taking BAM ADEBAYO C - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2017/ ©DraftExpress at 32

Could we possibly add TWO MORE Kentucky players to the Suns?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Oh good lord no

 

[Yuma]

Bam at 32, not to bad. You are reaching at that point anyway, might as well go big. Are you mad we pick Fox?

 

[devilalum]

Now it says Tatum?

 

[Yuma]

Now it says Tatum?

Tatum is what they have, but I think we may go Fox, just because of the Bledsoe trade rumor thing. I do not want to trade Bledsoe, based on Chris Paul showing you can be an older good PG. So Bledsoe not being as yound as the core youngsters we have I do not see as a negative. However, if the Suns are intent on getting a total young team to evolve together, Fox would possibly make sense in that scenario. He's fast. Phoenix has had some fast PGs in their history and it depends how much they want to run again.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Tatum is what they have, but I think we may go Fox, just because of the Bledsoe trade rumor thing. I do not want to trade Bledsoe, based on Chris Paul showing you can be an older good PG. So Bledsoe not being as yound as the core youngsters we have I do not see as a negative. However, if the Suns are intent on getting a total young team to evolve together, Fox would possibly make sense in that scenario. He's fast. Phoenix has had some fast PGs in their history and it depends how much they want to run again.

Haha you're comparing a generational talent like Paul's ability to play well late a reason to believe Bledsoe will too? Wow.

 

[Yuma]

Haha you're comparing a generational talent like Paul's ability to play well late a reason to believe Bledsoe will too? Wow.

Notice, I did not say he was as good as Paul. Everyone leaps to conclusions on this board. Merely, that today's athletes seem to be able to play older. That Bledsoe is 5 or 6 years older than our young guys, I do not see that as the problem the Suns or pundits of the Suns seem to think it is.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Notice, I did not say he was as good as Paul. Everyone leaps to conclusions on this board. Merely, that today's athletes seem to be able to play older. That Bledsoe is 5 or 6 years older than our young guys, I do not see that as the problem the Suns or pundits of the Suns seem to think it is.

Okay. Valid. Now name me a guy of bledsoes talent level that continues to play at that talent level into his 30's. Who also had multiple knee injuries. Just not pretty likely.

 

[AzStevenCal]

If I thought that we were going to get a break on Eric's deal due to either his past injuries of the likelihood of future problems, I'd be all for keeping him. But with Rich Paul as his agent he's going to demand the max and he's going to take it public, again ridiculing and attacking our front office (likely, anyway).

I don't want to go through another debacle with Paul, just let him walk when his contract is up if that's the best we can do. If we can do better, such as trade him sooner or later then great, but this contract should end our association with Eric (and Rich).

 

[Mainstreet]

If I thought that we were going to get a break on Eric's deal due to either his past injuries of the likelihood of future problems, I'd be all for keeping him. But with Rich Paul as his agent he's going to demand the max and he's going to take it public, again ridiculing and attacking our front office (likely, anyway).

I don't want to go through another debacle with Paul, just let him walk when his contract is up if that's the best we can do. If we can do better, such as trade him sooner or later then great, but this contract should end our association with Eric (and Rich).

I don't think it happens this season unless it happens at the trade deadline.

McDonough was assertive about keeping Bledsoe which you probably watched in the post-lottery video.

 

[Errntknght]

If I thought that we were going to get a break on Eric's deal due to either his past injuries of the likelihood of future problems, I'd be all for keeping him. But with Rich Paul as his agent he's going to demand the max and he's going to take it public, again ridiculing and attacking our front office (likely, anyway).

I don't want to go through another debacle with Paul, just let him walk when his contract is up if that's the best we can do. If we can do better, such as trade him sooner or later then great, but this contract should end our association with Eric (and Rich).

Dang, I'd completely forgotten about Rich Paul... I agree we should look to trade Bledsoe ASAP. I think Ulis would beat him out in a couple of years, anyway, but why wait for that. Cripes, Bled's D is not first rate any more - ever since he's played starter's minutes, in fact.

 

[Yuma]

I think Bledsoe i

Okay. Valid. Now name me a guy of bledsoes talent level that continues to play at that talent level into his 30's. Who also had multiple knee injuries. Just not pretty likely.

I think Bledsoe is changing his game. He's not just going balls out to the rim on every play. He is more getting people with pump fakes and getting to the free throw line more and more. If we upgrade over Bledsoe, I am not against that either. Just to trade him because he's a little older, not a LOT older, doesn't make sense to me. I agree with some of the other guys, in that I do not think he's a max contract player.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I think Bledsoe i

I think Bledsoe is changing his game. He's not just going balls out to the rim on every play. He is more getting people with pump fakes and getting to the free throw line more and more. If we upgrade over Bledsoe, I am not against that either. Just to trade him because he's a little older, not a LOT older, doesn't make sense to me. I agree with some of the other guys, in that I do not think he's a max contract player.

Most of us that are championing the idea of a Bledsoe trade are doing so primarily to avoid giving him his next contract rather than his perfomance. I could live with his age, I could live with the fact he's no longer focusing on defense but his agent is going to demand a max or near max deal, I don't think there's much debate over that.

George Hill for example turned down a lot of money a few months ago because his camp believes he will be able to get a 4 year deal worth 132 Million. That's over 30M per year and Bledsoe will be looking for that same kind of money. Few sane people want to be tied to an aging point guard with questionable knees at that kind of money.

 

[Mainstreet]

Most of us that are championing the idea of a Bledsoe trade are doing so primarily to avoid giving him his next contract rather than his perfomance. I could live with his age, I could live with the fact he's no longer focusing on defense but his agent is going to demand a max or near max deal, I don't think there's much debate over that.

George Hill for example turned down a lot of money a few months ago because his camp believes he will be able to get a 4 year deal worth 132 Million. That's over 30M per year and Bledsoe will be looking for that same kind of money. Few sane people want to be tied to an aging point guard with questionable knees at that kind of money.

I do not think the Suns are going to pay Bledsoe this type of money either. McDonough is likely focusing on winning next season. If the Suns are not playing well at the trade deadline, I can see the Suns willing to trade Bledsoe. Also should Bledsoe get another injury during the next two seasons, this would greatly diminish his value.

I understand the principle of selling high, but this not appear to be in McDonough's plans at the moment. Also he is on a reasonable contract for the next two seasons.

 

[sunsfan88]

I do not think the Suns are going to pay Bledsoe this type of money either. McDonough is likely focusing on winning next season. If the Suns are not playing well at the trade deadline, I can see the Suns willing to trade Bledsoe. Also should Bledsoe get another injury during the next two seasons, this would greatly diminish his value.

I understand the principle of selling high, but this not appear to be in McDonough's plans at the moment. Also he is on a reasonable contract for the next two seasons.

Yeah I mean if Ainge was apparently willing to trade IT for a lottery pick last summer after the success he had last season then the Suns shouldn't hesitate much at the thought of trading Bledsoe who is obviously a far inferior player.

 

[Chaplin]

Yeah I mean if Ainge was apparently willing to trade IT for a lottery pick last summer after the success he had last season then the Suns shouldn't hesitate much at the thought of trading Bledsoe who is obviously a far inferior player.

Far inferior player to who? Are you forwarding a narrative that Bledsoe is a far inferior player than IT?

 

[Mainstreet]

Yeah I mean if Ainge was apparently willing to trade IT for a lottery pick last summer after the success he had last season then the Suns shouldn't hesitate much at the thought of trading Bledsoe who is obviously a far inferior player.

After watching Ryan McDonough on the lottery video, Bledsoe is staying put for the foreseeable future.

Of course after listening to Lon Babby, I thought Nash was not going anywhere either.

 

[Mainstreet]

Also I'm with Chaplin, Bledsoe is not a far inferior player than IT.

 

[sunsfan88]

Far inferior player to who? Are you forwarding a narrative that Bledsoe is a far inferior player than IT?

Maybe "far inferior" was the wrong word to use but yeah IT is a better player than Bledsoe and the point remains the same.

 

[Chaplin]

Maybe "far inferior" was the wrong word to use but yeah IT is a better player than Bledsoe and the point remains the same.

Disagree.

 

[SirStefan32]

Yeah, I am not a Bledsoe fan, but he is a better player than IT. IT does some things better, but he is not a better player.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

They are VERY different players but I'm unsure which is better. I'm not sure the celtics have this level of success if you replace IT with Bledsoe. And that says something.

 

[Ronin]

Hamidou Diallo reportedly '50-50' on staying in NBA Draft or returning to UK

Diallo could be taken in the first round even though he didn't play a minute for the Wildcats
Kentucky early enrollee Hamidou Diallo, a five-star wing who sat on the bench in the spring for the Wildcats and did not play, has yet to make a decision about his future. He could remain in the NBA Draft (a decision he has until Wednesday to make before permanently burning up his college eligibility), or he could return to Kentucky and work to improve his draft stock for a potentially weaker 2018 NBA Draft.

According to the SECCountry.com, Diallo is split "50-50" on whether to return to Kentucky or remain in the draft.

Here's context on his looming decision from Kentucky beat writer Kyle Tucker:

http://www.cbssports.com/college-ba...0-on-staying-in-nba-draft-or-returning-to-uk/