Stein: Suns prefer to move IT instead of Goran to restore last year's roster balance

[sunsfan88]

Marc Stein @ESPNSteinLine
Word is Suns more apt to try to move IThomas before trade deadline, to restore last season's roster balance, rather than surrender GDragic

All I've been hearing since signing IT is that he's on a great contract and that its a huge trade asset. So judging by this tweet, we should be able to trade IT easily then and keep Goran.

I must be honest though, I personally haven't read any reports or heard anything about other teams being interested in Isaiah Thomas yet.

 

[sunsfan88]

Stein tweeted this right after

https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/status/566478471954980864

He must not know much about Tyler Ennis.

 

[slinslin]

When has Marc Stein ever broken news?

btw stolen from realgm

Age:
Dragic - 28
Thomas - 25

Contract:
Dragic - $7,500,000 / (PO $7,500,000)
Thomas - $7,238,606 / $6,912,869 / $6,587,132 / $6,261,395

2014/2015 per game stats:
Dragic - 16.2 pts, 4.1 ast, 3.6 reb, 1.0 stl, 2.2 tov, .501 FG%, .355 3P%, .746 FT% in 33.4 mpg
Thomas - 15.2 pts, 3.7 ast, 2.4 reb, 1.0 stl, 1.9 tov, .426 FG%, .391 3P%, .872 FT% in 25.7 mpg

2014/2015 advanced stats:
Dragic - 16.6 PER, .573 TS%, .111 WS/48, 105.7 OffRtg, 103.5 DefRtg, 2.2 NetRtg
Thomas - 19.6 PER, .579 TS%, .160 WS/48, 108.8 OffRtg, 105.7 DefRtg, 3.1 NetRtg

RPM:
Dragic -0.38 RPM (+1.26 ORPM, -1.64 DRPM)
Thomas +1.49 RPM (+3.21 ORPM, -1.72 DRPM)

PPP pick & roll ball handler:
Dragic - 0.75
Thomas - 0.84

PPP isolation:
Dragic - 0.69
Thomas - 0.90

PPP spot-up:
Dragic - 1.20
Thomas - 1.18

Opponent's PPP pick & roll ball handler:
Dragic - 0.95
Thomas - 0.76

Opponent's PPP isolation:
Dragic - 0.62
Thomas - 0.73

Opponent's PPP spot-up:
Dragic - 0.88
Thomas - 1.08

Now let's compare how our other building blocks perform with each of them on the court.

Bledsoe with Dragic on court: 18.7 pts/36, .568 TS%, +4.4 NetRtg
Bledsoe with Thomas on court: 19.4 pts/36, .587 TS%, +4.9 NetRtg

Len with Dragic on court: 10.8 pts/36, .570 TS%, +0.7 NetRtg
Len with Thomas on court: 11.6 pts/36, .673 TS%, +3.0 NetRtg

Markieff with Dragic on court: 17.5 pts/36, .516 TS%, +6.5 NetRtg
Markieff with Thomas on court: 17.2 pts/36, .546 TS%, +8.4 NetRtg

 

[sunsfan88]

When has Marc Stein ever broken news?

btw stolen from realgm

Why did you leave out the last part from that post you stole from RealGM?

Here I'll post the whole thing

Dragic vs IT

<devil's advocate mode on>

Age:
Dragic - 28
Thomas - 25

Contract:
Dragic - $7,500,000 / (PO $7,500,000)
Thomas - $7,238,606 / $6,912,869 / $6,587,132 / $6,261,395

2014/2015 per game stats:
Dragic - 16.2 pts, 4.1 ast, 3.6 reb, 1.0 stl, 2.2 tov, .501 FG%, .355 3P%, .746 FT% in 33.4 mpg
Thomas - 15.2 pts, 3.7 ast, 2.4 reb, 1.0 stl, 1.9 tov, .426 FG%, .391 3P%, .872 FT% in 25.7 mpg

2014/2015 advanced stats:
Dragic - 16.6 PER, .573 TS%, .111 WS/48, 105.7 OffRtg, 103.5 DefRtg, 2.2 NetRtg
Thomas - 19.6 PER, .579 TS%, .160 WS/48, 108.8 OffRtg, 105.7 DefRtg, 3.1 NetRtg

RPM:
Dragic -0.38 RPM (+1.26 ORPM, -1.64 DRPM)
Thomas +1.49 RPM (+3.21 ORPM, -1.72 DRPM)

PPP pick & roll ball handler:
Dragic - 0.75
Thomas - 0.84

PPP isolation:
Dragic - 0.69
Thomas - 0.90

PPP spot-up:
Dragic - 1.20
Thomas - 1.18

Opponent's PPP pick & roll ball handler:
Dragic - 0.95
Thomas - 0.76

Opponent's PPP isolation:
Dragic - 0.62
Thomas - 0.73

Opponent's PPP spot-up:
Dragic - 0.88
Thomas - 1.08

Now let's compare how our other building blocks perform with each of them on the court.

Bledsoe with Dragic on court: 18.7 pts/36, .568 TS%, +4.4 NetRtg
Bledsoe with Thomas on court: 19.4 pts/36, .587 TS%, +4.9 NetRtg

Len with Dragic on court: 10.8 pts/36, .570 TS%, +0.7 NetRtg
Len with Thomas on court: 11.6 pts/36, .673 TS%, +3.0 NetRtg

Markieff with Dragic on court: 17.5 pts/36, .516 TS%, +6.5 NetRtg
Markieff with Thomas on court: 17.2 pts/36, .546 TS%, +8.4 NetRtg

I'm not gonna spend my whole Saturday arguing that IT is better than Dragic because I don't really think he is, but the numbers clearly favor Thomas over Dragic.

 

[slinslin]

Because the last part is purely subjective opinion of one poster ...

 

[SunsFan89]

If that's true I will be super happy.

 

[devilalum]

IT is the ultimate 6th man. Ideally the Suns would be better if they traded Dragic for a real 2 guard and kept IT and his awesome contract.

 

[SweetD]

I like Dragic but he is going to get way to much this off season.

 

[slinslin]

IT is the ultimate 6th man. Ideally the Suns would be better if they traded Dragic for a real 2 guard and kept IT and his awesome contract.

I agree, you can't really find a better 6th man and his contract is very fair.

As soon as we trade IT we will be desperately looking for bench scoring again.

And then why did we trade him? On the assumption that Dragic does not play well because of IT who outplayed him? On the assumption that we do not have to overpay Dragic to keep him?

I don't want IT to be a starter despite Bledsoe/IT lineup being more effective so far than Bledsoe/Dragic. But I am all for keeping IT around as long as we don't get a very good trade offer for him.
I want to see Ennis as the backup PG but trading IT for less than what he is worth would be just stupid.

 

[95pro]

I always said they need to play separate. Bledsoe and Dragic run one unit. Thomas comes in with his second unit.

 

[SirStefan32]

I love how everyone is talking about what the Suns prefer. Nobody is pointing out the obvious fact that Dragic doesn't want to play here behind Bledsoe.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I love how everyone is talking about what the Suns prefer. Nobody is pointing out the obvious fact that Dragic doesn't want to play here behind Bledsoe.

Simply because it is anything but an "obvious fact". I think it's pretty clear Goran is unhappy at times but that's it. Maybe it is because of Bledsoe but for all we know he could just be upset because we signed his brother and parked him on the bench. Or maybe it's the addition of IT and what he does to the rotation? Or maybe he misses Channing? Or maybe he's frustrated because expectations have outpaced his game? All I know is that when we were playing well, he was playing well, and when that was happening he was happy and happy to tell/show the world about it. And when we've struggled and he's struggled, he's been equally willing to display his unhappiness.

Steve

 

[devilalum]

Simply because it is anything but an "obvious fact". I think it's pretty clear Goran is unhappy at times but that's it. Maybe it is because of Bledsoe but for all we know he could just be upset because we signed his brother and parked him on the bench. Or maybe it's the addition of IT and what he does to the rotation? Or maybe he misses Channing? Or maybe he's frustrated because expectations have outpaced his game? All I know is that when we were playing well, he was playing well, and when that was happening he was happy and happy to tell/show the world about it. And when we've struggled and he's struggled, he's been equally willing to display his unhappiness.

Steve

If I got paid $7 million to play basketball I would be happy everyday!!!

 

[Cheesebeef]

I really don't get how anyone here is all that attached to Dragic OR Bledsoe. Dragic has had ONE very good season... Bledsoe has only shown FLASHES over two seasons. What is there really to LOVE about either guy? They're both tweeners... Neither of them have ever even lead this team to te freaking 8 seed, much less done damage in the playoffs and NEITHER of them are going to be worth the huge contracts they'll be playing on next season.

 

[slinslin]

Bledsoe is easily worth the contract he is on currently.

 

[sunsfan88]

It's amazing that there's been all this chatter and rumors about Dragic and yet not a single team seems to have expressed interest in Isaiah Thomas.

Dragic is gonna be a FA so any team trading him for is taking a risk while IT is locked in for the 3 more years on what is "supposedly" a bargain contract.

By that, shouldn't A LOT more teams be interested in IT rather than Goran? Especially since all these stats posted in page 1 show that IT's better or something?

 

[SirStefan32]

It's amazing that there's been all this chatter and rumors about Dragic and yet not a single team seems to have expressed interest in Isaiah Thomas.

Dragic is gonna be a FA so any team trading him for is taking a risk while IT is locked in for the 3 more years on what is "supposedly" a bargain contract.

By that, shouldn't A LOT more teams be interested in IT rather than Goran? Especially since all these stats posted in page 1 show that IT's better or something?

Because you are arguing with Slin. In his mind, Bledsoe is the best player in the league, and Dragic sucks. Stop trying to introduce facts into the debate.

The answer is that Dragic is an All-NBA player and the reigning MIP, who is still having a hell of a season despite having to play the third and fourth fiddle to inferior players. Of course a bunch of teams want Dragic.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Bledsoe is easily worth the contract he is on currently.

Agree to disagree.

 

[BC867]

I always said they need to play separate. Bledsoe and Dragic run one unit. Thomas comes in with his second unit.

No one has mentioned that, more important than who starts, IT has been our closing Point Guard by virtue of his offense and too small to play anywhere else. Certainly not because he has any Point Guard skills.

That moves Bledsoe to small Shooting Guard and Dragic to Small Forward. Three undersized players with the game on the line. Forcing a Small Forward to Power Forward and Power Forward to Center. That is why our 4th quarters have been so dreadful and we have lost so many close games. Not one player is more skilled than the opposition at his closing position.

Whether it was Frye playing like a Shooting Guard weakening us in the front court or this cockeyed 3-lead Point Guard concept, neither produces strong basketball.

Even with Dragic gone, our backcourt would be undersized with the game on the line.

As much as I think that Goran is most effective at running the Point, if he is not going to be used in that capacity, he should move on. At least, he would no longer be our closer at Small Forward. Better for him. Better for the Suns.

But playing two undersized Guards to close the game is still a gimmick that is going to cost us wins. Unless both Bledsoe and IT are going to outscore every opposing backcourt every game. That hasn't been the case.

Of course, that would continue to cause the rest of the team to stand around, which will continue to hamper morale and cost us wins.

Going from three lead Point Guards to two lead Point Guards will keep us mired in mediocrity.

But I don't see the Suns current ownership, Front Office or coaching staff returning to a traditional backcourt and playing strong up front.

Damnit!

 

[AzStevenCal]

Bledsoe is easily worth the contract he is on currently.

Agree to disagree.

I really have no idea if he's worth his salary. But ESPN shows him as tied for 31st in current salary and CBS Sports ranks him as the 26th best player so far this season. If he's overpaid compared to the rest of the league, I don't think it's by much.

Steve

 

[GatorAZ]

Bledsoe is overpaid but not by much. Problem is when Eric Bledsoe is your best player you are very far from contention.

 

[Phrazbit]

Bledsoe is overpaid but not by much. Problem is when Eric Bledsoe is your best player you are very far from contention.

Thats more a reflection on a roster thats only 18 months removed from being one of the worst in basketball.

 

[95pro]

Yep even as great James is proclaimed to be he hasn't done it all on his own, even in a weak eastern conference.

 

[overseascardfan]

Hindsight being 20/20 but anyone else think the if the rumor was true about CLE interested in swapping Irving for Bledsoe at Lebron's request, PHX should have done it? I thought Irving was a terrible shooter thus at the time I would have said no way but I just learned he actually won the 2013 3pt Shooting Contest in 2013 and had a really impressive showing last night finishing 3rd to Curry & Thompson (no shame there really) and looking at his numbers this year, I would have done it in a NY minute.

 

[sunsfan88]

Paul Coro @paulcoro
@OrangeDesert1 Dragic would like to stay but in a role that allows him to flourish like last season.

Looks like the ball is in the Suns court. Trade IT & Goran stays.