Rumor: Bledsoe trade to Lakers

[Mainstreet]

Uuuuhhh, can we at least concentrate on rumors that make sense? And why would the Lakers... nevermind that, why would the Suns want to help out the Lakers, we need them to finish kinda low (not too low).

I only comment on the rumors, not invent them.

 

[KloD]

I realize we all love Dragic, but let's be real for a second. He will be 29 next season and has maybe 4 or 5 more years of playing at his top ability. We are building a young team that can grow together. I want Dragic to finish his career with the Suns, but I don't think it the wise option, nor do I believe it the Suns vision to build around him. Bledsoe is 4 years younger and seems more likely the PG you build around for the long haul.

 

[sunsfan88]

Dragon isn't leaving. And I don't mind giving him his 5 year $90M if he continues his stellar play this coming season.

 

[D-Dogg]

So why are the Lakers bringing it to us then?

They aren't.

BS rumor.

 

[AzStevenCal]

They aren't.

BS rumor.

Agreed.

Steve

 

[D-Dogg]

The NBA is extremely high on Bledsoe. Despite his fairly routine knee surgery, you aren't getting him for a guy with T-Rex arms.

I am high on Bledsoe too, I think he's a fantastic player. It is the second meniscus surgery on the same knee in like 3 years though.

T-Rex arms? LOL. Dumbest crap on Randle out there. He's got a 7 foot wingspan at 19 years old. Longer than Kevin Love or Blake Griffin. Please. People just looking for a reason to bag on a phenomenal talent - the relatively average wingspan pales in comparison to his motor and his ridiculous ability with the ball as a point forward with good handles and great vision. Once he develops his jumper, he's unguardable.

Guy with t-rex arms.

I like Randle. I think he's going to be a solid PF for a decade plus. But Bledsoe is a game changer. Even with his slightly elevated injury risk, you don't give up that kind of player for a guy whose ceiling is just above average. Maybe on the next contract where Randle has hit his peak and Bledsoe's injury risk gets a little more serious but not now, no way.

His ceiling isn't just above average. T-Rex arms and all.

Bledsoe is a potential max guy. Injury history tempers that and I wouldn't take the gamble of moving JR to see if it works out...and even if it did, it's not a move that makes the Lakers a contender, so why the hell would they do it?

 

[Phrazbit]

Isn't it a strong possibility that if we do lock up Eric, and Goran has to divide his time at his best position, PG, we will lose Goran.

Whereas if we go forward with Goran as our 'star' at the Point, we have a good chance of not losing him?

If I am overlooking something here, please let me know.

I think the question if Goran can handle combo guard duties is out the window. He just spent a large portion of last season away from his "best position" and he had, by far, the best season of his career.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I think the question if Goran can handle combo guard duties is out the window. He just spent a large portion of last season away from his "best position" and he had, by far, the best season of his career.

Agreed. AFAIC, he proved his best position IS combo guard.

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

I realize we all love Dragic, but let's be real for a second. He will be 29 next season and has maybe 4 or 5 more years of playing at his top ability. We are building a young team that can grow together. I want Dragic to finish his career with the Suns, but I don't think it the wise option, nor do I believe it the Suns vision to build around him. Bledsoe is 4 years younger and seems more likely the PG you build around for the long haul.

I think if Bledsoe did not have any questions about his health, I could buy this argument.

However, drawing no direct comparison (only age), Nash was 30 when he returned to the Suns from Dallas.

 

[KloD]

I think if Bledsoe did not have any questions about his health, I could buy this argument.

However, drawing no direct comparison (only age), Nash was 30 when he returned to the Suns from Dallas.

Yeah, and we had a team to put around him. This is in no way a comparable situation to when the Nash came back. The Suns aren't going to contend for anything right now but maybe, MAYBE a playoff spot. By the time they are able to surround Dragic with the kind of talent they brought Nash into, half those years are likely gone. In reality, there are questions about every athletes health. Everyone is a major injury away. Dragic may tear something next season, or even in training camp. It's absolutely silly to me to put all the chips on anyone. The goal should be to keep both as we've seen they can play very successfully together, but you build for the long haul in our situation and we aren't close enough to put all the chips on Dragic as the focal point.

 

[Mainstreet]

Yeah, and we had a team to put around him. This is in no way a comparable situation to when the Nash came back. The Suns aren't going to contend for anything right now but maybe, MAYBE a playoff spot. By the time they are able to surround Dragic with the kind of talent they brought Nash into, half those years are likely gone. In reality, there are questions about every athletes health. Everyone is a major injury away. Dragic may tear something next season, or even in training camp. It's absolutely silly to me to put all the chips on anyone. The goal should be to keep both as we've seen they can play very successfully together, but you build for the long haul in our situation and we aren't close enough to put all the chips on Dragic as the focal point.

The problem is, can the Suns keep both going forward? I think the answer is no unless you think the Suns can make a champioship run this coming season. If I had to put all my eggs in one basket, I would chose Dragic. Perhaps Bledsoe might be the better option (I don't know) but if I had to chose one, it would be Dragic.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Of course, because it sounds like the stupidest trade on the planet from the Lakers perspective.
.

And you just listed the EXACT reason I'm starting to think this is possible. From the minds who brought you Mike Brown, Mike D, no coach at all, traded two first rounders for dogcrap Nash, gave a one legged 35 year old Kobe a cap killing contract and desperately wanted both Howard and Anthony...this move seems like it's right up the Lakers alley.

 

[Superbone]

But you only have that other star pg for a year and then he is unrestricted. Big picture to view here.

Control what you can control. Next year this time, we could be without both--for next to nothing. You have to lock up Eric.

I don't see why. Instead the plan could be to lock up Dragic next year.

 

[Superbone]

Isn't it a strong possibility that if we do lock up Eric, and Goran has to divide his time at his best position, PG, we will lose Goran.

Whereas if we go forward with Goran as our 'star' at the Point, we have a good chance of not losing him?

If I am overlooking something here, please let me know.

You're spot on from what I know.

 

[D-Dogg]

And you just listed the EXACT reason I'm starting to think this is possible. From the minds who brought you Mike Brown, Mike D, no coach at all, traded two first rounders for dogcrap Nash, gave a one legged 35 year old Kobe a cap killing contract and desperately wanted both Howard and Anthony...this move seems like it's right up the Lakers alley.

Legit sources have bashed this already. Not talked about at all from either team.

 

[Superbone]

I realize we all love Dragic, but let's be real for a second. He will be 29 next season and has maybe 4 or 5 more years of playing at his top ability. We are building a young team that can grow together. I want Dragic to finish his career with the Suns, but I don't think it the wise option, nor do I believe it the Suns vision to build around him. Bledsoe is 4 years younger and seems more likely the PG you build around for the long haul.

You're not accounting for that mysterious knee which is an unknown at this point.

 

[AzStevenCal]

The problem is, can the Suns keep both going forward? I think the answer is no unless you think the Suns can make a champioship run this coming season. If I had to put all my eggs in one basket, I would chose Dragic. Perhaps Bledsoe might be the better option (I don't know) but if I had to chose one, it would be Dragic.

It would be a tough call for me. I'd ignore the medical side as really, me having an opinion on that is like me having an opinion on whether or not some stranger a thousand miles away needs to go pee. There are people that know whether that guy needs to pee just like there are people that have the information they need to decide whether Eric's knee is a significant risk or not, but I'm not one of them.

I think they are both flawed as point guards. Goran is a little better in that regard but not much. As a combo guard, Dragic is proving to be something special. But, like Bledsoe, he plays with reckless abandon and that plus his international commitment takes a lot out of him. He may give us a full season but he only gives us two thirds of a season as a great player. He also likes to be in Phoenix and he's a fan favorite. Those are big pluses. But Eric makes this team so much better defensively and his value goes far beyond his points and assists per game. I don't want to choose between them. Keep them together and we are on the verge of being relevant nationally. Lose one of them and we simply don't matter in the NBA scheme of things.

Steve

 

[SirStefan32]

Dragon isn't leaving. And I don't mind giving him his 5 year $90M if he continues his stellar play this coming season.

I am a HUGE Dragic fan, but $18M per year is a bit much. Unless he gets the Suns to the conference finals, makes the all star team and an all-NBA second team, that kind of money should be off the table. Either way, Goran will give the Suns a home town discount anyway.

 

[SirStefan32]

I am high on Bledsoe too, I think he's a fantastic player. It is the second meniscus surgery on the same knee in like 3 years though.

T-Rex arms? LOL. Dumbest crap on Randle out there. He's got a 7 foot wingspan at 19 years old. Longer than Kevin Love or Blake Griffin. Please. People just looking for a reason to bag on a phenomenal talent - the relatively average wingspan pales in comparison to his motor and his ridiculous ability with the ball as a point forward with good handles and great vision. Once he develops his jumper, he's unguardable.

Guy with t-rex arms.





His ceiling isn't just above average. T-Rex arms and all.

Bledsoe is a potential max guy. Injury history tempers that and I wouldn't take the gamble of moving JR to see if it works out...and even if it did, it's not a move that makes the Lakers a contender, so why the hell would they do it?

While there is likely nothing to this rumor, I would trade Bledsoe for Randle every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Hell, I'd take Nash of their hands so he can retire in Phoenix.

 

[Phrazbit]

It astounds me that so many posters are fine with the idea of breaking up the Dragic/Bledsoe pairing. With both on the court we won 66% of our games, thats among the top 7 teams in the league, and that was with a very poor front court.

The only way I'd let either of them go is if we're getting an all-star caliber big man (and Love is the only one available) OR we've decided to blow it up and start over.

 

[KloD]

Delete duplicate

 

[AzStevenCal]

It astounds me that so many posters are fine with the idea of breaking up the Dragic/Bledsoe pairing. With both on the court we won 66% of our games, thats among the top 7 teams in the league, and that was with a very poor front court.

The only way I'd let either of them go is if we're getting an all-star caliber big man (and Love is the only one available) OR we've decided to blow it up and start over.

We're definitely in the minority on this and it astounds me. We may have to part with Bledsoe but we'll be a lesser team if we do. I can't believe so many people are willing to do it voluntarily whether it's a trade for an unproven rookie or a middling big man. Our offensive and defensive ratings when Dragic and Bledsoe are both on the court are staggering, there isn't a franchise in the league that wouldn't want those numbers.

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

We're definitely in the minority on this and it astounds me. We may have to part with Bledsoe but we'll be a lesser team if we do. I can't believe so many people are willing to do it voluntarily whether it's a trade for an unproven rookie or a middling big man. Our offensive and defensive ratings when Dragic and Bledsoe are both on the court are staggering, there isn't a franchise in the league that wouldn't want those numbers.

Steve

I want to keep Bledsoe but not for an 80M dollar maximum. Let's sign Bledsoe for an amount the Suns can afford to keep Dragic as well. As I view it, talking about sign and trades is just exploring all the options.

 

[KloD]

The problem is, can the Suns keep both going forward? I think the answer is no unless you think the Suns can make a champioship run this coming season. If I had to put all my eggs in one basket, I would chose Dragic. Perhaps Bledsoe might be the better option (I don't know) but if I had to chose one, it would be Dragic.

I see no problem and yes they can keep both going forward as long as both are willing to sign on the dotted line. I have no idea what you are talking about with making a run this season, I think I was very clear that I absolutely do not believe such a thing. Of course you would choose Dragic and based on what I've read from you repeatedly is because you are in the corner that needs to be reassured that Bledsoe loves you. Just kidding, but really that's how I view this nonsense that he has never made it clear to FANS that he wants to be in Phoenix. I would bet money that the FO knows his position and feelings on the matter. So what if he doesn't give you fans the warm fuzzies. It's such a ridiculous notion IMO that I cringe every time I see you guys say it. Of course you are welcome to feel anyway you wish and you can choose Dragic over Bledsoe for whatever reasons you come up with, but while I really like Dragic and want him to retire a Sun, IF I had to choose, I go with the younger and equal talent. I believe Bledsoe will continue to improve, but at 29 I'm guessing Dragic has peaked or at least is very close to his peak. Like I said though, I want to keep both and think it's nonsense to break them up.

 

[KloD]

You're not accounting for that mysterious knee which is an unknown at this point.

I'm sorry, but you are 100% false. It's only mysterious to fans. The FO knows exactly what the situation is and they offered him a 4 year deal. Dragic will be 33 in 4 years. Bledsoe will be 28. Dragic could blow out his knee tomorrow.