Per Gery Woeffell .....Phoenix Suns offering Goran Dragic for first round pick

[asuhoopsnut]

Gery Woeffel is the beat writer for the Milwaukee Bucks. He is stating that the Suns are offering Dragic for a first round pick.

At first, I was shocked that they would only ask for one first round draft pick. Then, I started thinking with my realtor hat! Sometimes, when you list a house at a lower price, if their is interest in that property, the price goes up with the offers from potential buyers. I think this could be the case with Dragic. I believe their will be a lot of interest in him and the price could go way up for the team that really wants him. The team that eventually offers the most, will most likely want to negotiate a longer contract since he is a free agent at the end of the year.

I think they could possibly get a very high first round pick and possibly more for Dragic, even with his impending free agency. What do you think?

Link: http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2...ix-suns-offering-goran-dragic-for-first-round

 

[Covert Rain]

Uh what?!?! You telling me the Suns can't get a legit player in return?

 

[slinslin]

The source is a self-proclaimed Bucks-insider without much credibility.

That said if the Rockets offer Motiejunas and that New Orleans pick which I think is protected in a reverse way making sure it would be a mid-late lottery pick then I guess that is tempting.

As an upcoming UFA I don't think Dragic fetches much more plus the team getting him has to be committed to overpaying him.

 

[Joe Mama]

The source is a self-proclaimed Bucks-insider without much credibility.

That said if the Rockets offer Motiejunas and that New Orleans pick which I think is protected in a reverse way making sure it would be a mid-late lottery pick then I guess that is tempting.

As an upcoming UFA I don't think Dragic fetches much more plus the team getting him has to be committed to overpaying him.

I think Goran could easily be a 18/7 on a good team with decent shooters per spacing. Now those numbers don't blow your mind and make you want to pay a max contract, but keep in mind that would be a very efficient 18/7. If he's needed for more offense but still has the spacing I could easily see him at 20+ and doing it at close to 50% FG and 40-45% on three pointers.

I really don't want to lose him. He's my favorite player, but the team overpaid for Bledsoe and they were in a really tough situation last summer. I disagree with those who say that starting Bledsoe and Dragic was doomed to fail. However I do agree with Charles Barkley on one thing. You can't have all of your money tied up in Bledsoe and Dragic and then another $7 million for Thomas.

Besides, even if the Phoenix Suns wanted to keep him it's not really going to be their decision and at this point I don't like the rods of keeping him. I just hope if they move him they get they can get the price driven up some. He could be really helpful. He and James Harden would be a fantastic backcourt, especially since at least on paper they have good defense behind them.

Joe

 

[slinslin]

If Goran complains about not getting the ball enough here, he will get to see the ball much less with Harden.

 

[Finito]

I'm so done with the Suns if this happens. So Eric Bleadsoe and one on one hero ball is what there gonna build the team around huh. Championship right around the corner

 

[Chaplin]

I'm not as invested in this team as much as I was 5 years ago, but I don't understand why Bledsoe is getting so much hate. Sure he has his flaws like anyone, but he's far and away our best player.

To me, the decision isn't Bledsoe OR Dragic. It's Thomas or Dragic.

 

[asuhoopsnut]

I'm not as invested in this team as much as I was 5 years ago, but I don't understand why Bledsoe is getting so much hate. Sure he has his flaws like anyone, but he's far and away our best player.

To me, the decision isn't Bledsoe OR Dragic. It's Thomas or Dragic.

I agree with these sentiments. I also believe that Goran would bring back more than Thomas could.

 

[slinslin]

I'm so done with the Suns if this happens. So Eric Bleadsoe and one on one hero ball is what there gonna build the team around huh. Championship right around the corner

Bledsoe averages the same assists, even the same amount of raw passes as Goran did last year and on top of that plays defense and at a lower usage rate and while having to share with Dragic and Thomas while Dragic last year had free reign to play Dragic hero ball all season almost since Bledsoe was out for half of it and the only other ballhander Ish Smith.

The Suns have the same offensive efficiency ranking as last year and slightly better in assist rate and assists.

Go on hate some more dude. Not biased at all and can't even spell Bledsoe.

Having to deal with Penny fans or Shaq fans in the past was hard but it says a lot when dealing with the pure Dragic bias is worse than all that.

 

[Chaplin]

Strange thing is, you can be a fan of Dragic AND Bledsoe. I wonder if some people on this board understand that.

 

[Absolute Zero]

Strange thing is, you can be a fan of Dragic AND Bledsoe. I wonder if some people on this board understand that.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Strange thing is, you can be a fan of Dragic AND Bledsoe. I wonder if some people on this board understand that.

It's not just this board, RealGm is just as polarized on these guys. I'm a Suns fan first and foremost but I'm also a fan of both Goran and Eric. No matter how often I make that statement though, on this board I'm accused of being a Bledsoe homer and on that other board I've been called a Dragic fanboy.

I'm hoping this rumor is just that, a rumor. I love Bledsoe's potential but I don't know if he can ever truly run a team. He needs someone like Goran next to him. And Goran needs space to operate and a pick and roll partner that can also catch and shoot. I'd much rather go after what Goran needs than just give him up. But, in the end, I'm not going to be devastated if we trade either player or even both.

Steve

 

[BC867]

I don't understand why Bledsoe is getting so much hate. Sure he has his flaws like anyone, but he's far and away our best player.

So Eric Bleadsoe and one on one hero ball is what there gonna build the team around huh.

Both points are valid.

Bledsoe may be potentially our best player. But as an undersized "2" Guard whose size limits him to playing the Point, he is not a player to build a team around. He does not make the rest of the team better.

Adding him to a team like the Cavs and his buddy LeBron is the closest perfect fit for him.

Building the Suns around him (or even worse, Bledsoe and IT) is not the formula for team growth.

 

[Mainstreet]

Both points are valid.

Bledsoe may be potentially our best player. But as an undersized "2" Guard whose size limits him to playing the Point, he is not a player to build a team around. He does not make the rest of the team better.

Adding him to a team like the Cavs and his buddy LeBron is the closest perfect fit for him.

Building the Suns around him (or even worse, Bledsoe and IT) is not the formula for team growth.

Just curious, I'm wondering about Bledsoe's trade value. It would undoubtedly require salary coming back plus hopefully picks. This is an option I hope the Suns have considered if they are intent that one of their starting PGs must go.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Just curious, I'm wondering about Bledsoe's trade value. It would undoubtedly require salary coming back plus hopefully picks. This is an option I hope the Suns have considered if they are intent that one of their starting PGs must go.

It makes little sense to do this though. Dragic's age and contract status are working against him. If they've decided that Bledsoe isn't their long term answer the smart move would be to showcase him, let him rack up the stats and then trade him a year or two down the road when his contract starts to look like a bargain. It's far more important that Eric either becomes a star or gets traded for one then it is to try and make this current team more competitive. We're just not that close to contending to make that kind of a decision IMO.

Steve

 

[Ronin]

A first rounder seems kind of low, can't imagine the Suns can't get more for him.

 

[Phrazbit]

Just curious, I'm wondering about Bledsoe's trade value. It would undoubtedly require salary coming back plus hopefully picks. This is an option I hope the Suns have considered if they are intent that one of their starting PGs must go.

I honestly think they have not. Bledsoe is already measurably better than Goran and younger. If they had any thought of letting Bledsoe go they would have explored sign and trade options last summer. They think is a key player for the future and I think they're right to pick him if they can't keep both.

 

[Phrazbit]

As for the concern that this dooms us to hero ball, I also disagree. We were not a hero ball team last year, the hero ball problem guys are Thomas and Green (who is like 10x as selfish as he was last year). We can have a ball movement team with Bledsoe, but the way the roster is currently set up, there are no catch and shoot players so this is what you get.

And really, I think dumping Bledsoe in favor of Dragic is the direction that would truly force us in one direction, we'd be committing ourselves to pure run and gun, bad defense, bad half court basketball.

And I actually LIKE Dragic, and I think with some better options in the front court he and Bledsoe make a very strong pairing, as they proved last year. But, IF keeping both is not an option, the choice is easy.

 

[Mainstreet]

I honestly think they have not. Bledsoe is already measurably better than Goran and younger. If they had any thought of letting Bledsoe go they would have explored sign and trade options last summer. They think is a key player for the future and I think they're right to pick him if they can't keep both.

I think the Suns have committed to Bledsoe but I would have liked to have seen them approach it, who would return the most in trade, Bledsoe or Dragic... even now.

 

[Mainstreet]

It makes little sense to do this though. Dragic's age and contract status are working against him. If they've decided that Bledsoe isn't their long term answer the smart move would be to showcase him, let him rack up the stats and then trade him a year or two down the road when his contract starts to look like a bargain. It's far more important that Eric either becomes a star or gets traded for one then it is to try and make this current team more competitive. We're just not that close to contending to make that kind of a decision IMO.

Steve

Certainly we agree about this unless the right deal comes along. Crazy things can happen at the trade deadline.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Certainly we agree about this unless the right deal comes along. Crazy things can happen at the trade deadline.

Sure. I think you trade Goran if you're worried about re-signing him. I think you trade IT with an eye to balancing the team. I think you only trade Bledsoe if someone comes after him hard.

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

Sure. I think you trade Goran if you're worried about re-signing him. I think you trade IT with an eye to balancing the team. I think you only trade Bledsoe if someone comes after him hard.

Steve

I always thought McDonough had a plan when he collected all the 1s, 2s and 3s. Now I'm beginning to wonder as the trade deadline approaches. I thought he viewed the smalls as assets but now he reportedly says, "I think our roster balance is a little off and that's my fault." Wow. Everyone knew this. Hopefully he does not make a panic move trying to get the Suns in the playoffs this season. What happens between now and the trade deadline will say a lot. As I view it, it is better to not make a move than to make a bad trade.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I always thought McDonough had a plan when he collected all the 1s, 2s and 3s. Now I'm beginning to wonder as the trade deadline approaches. I thought he viewed the smalls as assets but now he reportedly says, "I think our roster balance is a little off and that's my fault." Wow. Everyone knew this. Hopefully he does not make a panic move trying to get the Suns in the playoffs this season. What happens between now and the trade deadline will say a lot. As I view it, it is better to not make a move than to make a bad trade.

I still think he has a plan, it's just a fairly general one though. Collect assets until you can upgrade.

Completely off topic but I didn't want to start a thread on this. I am shocked by the lack of quality on ESPN the past several years. On Sportscenter tonight the guy states that only 8 NBA teams have won an NBA championship in the last 30 years. He points to a board with the logos of the 8 teams and they are the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and the LA Clippers. Love it.

Steve

 

[Broseph]

would rather move IT and not Goran, but its clear this 3 point system is not working.

 

[Mainstreet]

I still think he has a plan, it's just a fairly general one though. Collect assets until you can upgrade.

I guess I was hoping the upgrade would come sooner. We shall see with the nearing trade deadline and come draft time.

Completely off topic but I didn't want to start a thread on this. I am shocked by the lack of quality on ESPN the past several years. On Sportscenter tonight the guy states that only 8 NBA teams have won an NBA championship in the last 30 years. He points to a board with the logos of the 8 teams and they are the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and the LA Clippers. Love it.

Now the rabbit is out of the bag.