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

[AzStevenCal]

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

Maybe. And maybe he's demanding we trade for Channing.

Steve

 

[overseascardfan]

If LA or HOU is going to offer him something along the lines of what PHX gave Bledsoe then PHX does need to trade him as they cannot pay them both even if they trade Thomas, especially when they need to bring in front court talent. Goran may want to stay and say he wants to stay but its gonna be hard to turn down a max offer from another team.

 

[SirStefan32]

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

Moving IT isn't enough. Moving Goran to point guard exclusively is the only thing that would keep him here. It won't happen.

 

[sunsfan88]

Moving IT isn't enough. Moving Goran to point guard exclusively is the only thing that would keep him here. It won't happen.

Your probably right but after last season (when we played with just bledsoe) he said in the summer that he plans to opt out and resign right away with Suns.

It was only after playing with IT that he started saying stuff like "Every team is an option, I'm gonna test the market," etc.

I don't think Bledsoe is the problem, IT is.

 

[BC867]

Maybe. And maybe he's demanding we trade for Channing.

Steve

Oh Steve, if someone asked you what time it is, you'd get the name Channing Frye in the answer.

Usually without the 's

 

[AzStevenCal]

Oh Steve, if someone asked you what time it is, you'd get the name Channing Frye in the answer.

Usually without the 's

Not true. By the way, it's Frye O'Clock here.

Steve

 

[BC867]

Not true. By the way, it's Frye O'Clock here.

Steve

Soon it will be a quarter after Frye. That's Frye fifteen digital.

 

[sunsfan88]

Moving IT isn't enough. Moving Goran to point guard exclusively is the only thing that would keep him here. It won't happen.

Dragic has already said that likes Bledsoe and that he hopes to play with Bledsoe for years to come.

Once he started playing in this stupid 3 guard crap with IT is what pissed him off.

 

[Sci Fi]

Dragic has already said that likes Bledsoe and that he hopes to play with Bledsoe for years to come.

Once he started playing in this stupid 3 guard crap with IT is what pissed him off.

He also said this past summer signing here was a no brainer. Through all that old crap out the window.

The player they could move that could keep Dragic here is Bledsoe but it won't happen. I'm certain he greatly dislikes playing with him. When Dragic says "I'm not getting the ball in spots I like he's really saying Eric doesn't know how to pass."

 

[sunsfan88]

He also said this past summer signing here was a no brainer. Through all that old crap out the window.

The player they could move that could keep Dragic here is Bledsoe but it won't happen. I'm certain he greatly dislikes playing with him. When Dragic says "I'm not getting the ball in spots I like he's really saying Eric doesn't know how to pass."

He said that before playing with IT.

 

[AzStevenCal]

He said that before playing with IT.

And it was translated differently depending on whose report you read. Remember, one of those international reports even translated it/interpreted it to mean that he was opting out in order to leave Phoenix. Anyway, I do believe he wanted to stay in Phoenix and the situation during the season has probably tested his resolve. But I believe it's the presence of the 3rd starter quality point guard and the lack of a catch and shoot/pick and roll partner that he could work well with.

Steve

 

[WildBB]

He also said this past summer signing here was a no brainer. Through all that old crap out the window.

The player they could move that could keep Dragic here is Bledsoe but it won't happen. I'm certain he greatly dislikes playing with him. When Dragic says "I'm not getting the ball in spots I like he's really saying Eric doesn't know how to pass."

They can't move Bledsoe with his deal. They should find a taker for Thomas however. That would free up enough to where they should be able to land Dragic in the 10-12 M range. He's the better fit by FAR.

 

[AzStevenCal]

They can't move Bledsoe with his deal. They should find a taker for Thomas however. That would free up enough to where they should be able to land Dragic in the 10-12 M range. He's the better fit by FAR.

For what it's worth the rumor and speculation mill is pricing Goran in the 16 to 20 million per range.

Steve

 

[hcsilla]

For what it's worth the rumor and speculation mill is pricing Goran in the 16 to 20 million per range.

If that's correct (which I doubt BTW) then the Suns should trade Dragic very quickly.

However, if I think of Nash's situation, the Suns can benefit even from Dragic's FA status because of his Bird-rights, even if the Nash-deal was a once-in-a- decade type of steal for the Suns.

 

[Joe Mama]

If that's correct (which I doubt BTW) then the Suns should trade Dragic very quickly.

However, if I think of Nash's situation, the Suns can benefit even from Dragic's FA status because of his Bird-rights, even if the Nash-deal was a once-in-a- decade type of steal for the Suns.

What do you think his price will be?

Joe

 

[Hoop Head]

If that's correct (which I doubt BTW) then the Suns should trade Dragic very quickly.

However, if I think of Nash's situation, the Suns can benefit even from Dragic's FA status because of his Bird-rights, even if the Nash-deal was a once-in-a- decade type of steal for the Suns.

The Nash deal was great and I highly doubt they get that sort of steal for Dragic. The Lakers really gave up a lot for a sign & trade but they thought they'd be competing for a title. The Suns should be able to get a late pick in a sign and trade though at least.

 

[hcsilla]

What do you think his price will be?

The correct/fair price would be 12-14 mil./year for 3/4 years, IMO.

If someone offers significantly more (or the Suns are convinced that someone will), the Suns should quit immediately from the bidding war, and they have to do it now by trading of Dragic.

 

[Sci Fi]

For what it's worth the rumor and speculation mill is pricing Goran in the 16 to 20 million per range.

Steve

And this is what he'll most likely get.

One of the only possible exceptions to this that I could see is that he could end up in San Antonio and give them a nice deal since their style of play is perfect for him and he wants to win. Even there he'll get at least 15 mil.

I doubt it comes to that though as I think Morey is going to trade for him. He realizes that Dragic is the piece he needs to be a true contender and that he needs to get Harden offensive help.

 

[SirStefan32]

And this is what he'll most likely get.

One of the only possible exceptions to this that I could see is that he could end up in San Antonio and give them a nice deal since their style of play is perfect for him and he wants to win. Even there he'll get at least 15 mil.

I doubt it comes to that though as I think Morey is going to trade for him. He realizes that Dragic is the piece he needs to be a true contender and that he needs to get Harden offensive help.

You may very well be right, but that is an atrocious back court defensively. Dragic is better defensively than most people claim, but he has trouble with quick PGs. Harden is arguably the worst defensive guard in the league.

 

[JCSunsfan]

The correct/fair price would be 12-14 mil./year for 3/4 years, IMO.

If someone offers significantly more (or the Suns are convinced that someone will), the Suns should quit immediately from the bidding war, and they have to do it now by trading of Dragic.

But its ALWAYS more. Rarely does a prominent player sign for what fans think is fair. Goran is the classic "almost a star" player that gets overpaid.

 

[HooverDam]

Harden is arguably the worst defensive guard in the league.

that is ridiculous. Harden is fine defensively. He wasn't in top physical shape last year and was caring such an offensive load that he indeed took a lot of possessions off on the defensive end. This year, he's been much better defensively and is probably about league average or maybe slightly below. If he had more offensive help (i.e. Dragic) it's not unreasonable to think he couldn't pick it up on the defensive end.

Here's Harden defending Kobe back when Harden was on OKC:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63TDVWnZ5K8

He didn't just forget how to do that. But, as we often see when players become a ball dominant, nearly 100% of their teams offense kind of guy, the other end slips (unless your name is Michael Jordan).

 

[hcsilla]

But its ALWAYS more. Rarely does a prominent player sign for what fans think is fair. Goran is the classic "almost a star" player that gets overpaid.

I'm not so sure.

He is a 29year old PG, who can score in a variety of ways and effectively, but not a star, can pass the ball, but not a true PG, might be OK defensively but that's all.

I have a hard time to see if teams have to overpay someone why it has to be Dragic.

The comparison with Bledsoe is also quite misleading. Bledsoe is more of a 2-way player, is 3.5 years younger and obviously has more potential.

The best what we can see from Dragic in the next few year is what we saw from him last season, with a solid chance that he will decline after he turns 30.

I just don't see why is it given that someone puts a ridiculous contract offer for Dragic but if it happens I do hope that it won't be the Suns.

 

[hcsilla]

that is ridiculous. Harden is fine defensively. He wasn't in top physical shape last year and was caring such an offensive load that he indeed took a lot of possessions off on the defensive end. This year, he's been much better defensively and is probably about league average or maybe slightly below.

He is above league average:

http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/201935/tracking/defense/

 

[Phrazbit]

Harden certainly is capable of playing solid one on one defense, I remember he gave Kobe fits in the playoffs a few years back. But when his man is moving off the ball Harden seems to regularly lose track of the guy, in rather embarrassing fashion. He also makes some of the laziest steal attempts I've ever seen at any level. Just half assed swipes at the ball while basically letting the guy go around him.

I'm pretty sure those player tracking D numbers from the NBA site reflect what happens when a guy shoots while Harden with the range to contest, and therefore where it hides the huge flaw in Harden's game of simply losing track of his man or letting them go right around him, as they score without him in a position to contest.

 

[sunsfan88]

John Gambadoro @Gambo987
@BenDuBose I'm sure they would rather trade Isiah but not much of a market for him. Yes trading Dragic a real possibility

John Gambadoro @Gambo987
@Pena84Christ They would much rather trade Isiah but hard to get much for him. Goran brings back more.

The Suns have been engaged in talks involving Thomas and guard Gerald Green prior to Thursday's trade deadline, but there are no assurances Phoenix will find a deal for them.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/source...arring-blockbuster-trade-offer-195235888.html

Its amazing that some posters think IT is better than Dragic and yet there's hardly a market for IT while teams from all over the NBA are calling for Goran.

And also remember that they would be taking a huge risk trading for Goran because he's a UFA while IT is locked up for 3 more years....and yet they would still rather take the risk than trade anything good for IT.

Can't believe people seriously though IT was gonna be some great trade asset. "We signed a 3rd PG because there was no one else to sign and we got him on a great contract so now he will be a great trade asset"

LMAO.