Suns, Eric Bledsoe Far Apart In Talks

[BC867]

I think that's true. My skepticism about Bledsoe as a long-term building block for the Suns doesn't have much to do with the contract negotiations.

They do share a common thread, however. Both Dragic and Bledsoe think of themselves as PGs, and both want to lead the team. You can slot one of them at SG and call up a bunch of stats to show that it works, but that doesn't get around the fact that one of them is the lead PG and the other one isn't. That tension isn't going to go away.

This has always been my suspicion as well. He got traded from a situation where he was behind a star to another situation where he is second fiddle. He has never seemed happy to be here because he wants to be "the man." And he's not going to just come out and say this because it sounds lame.

Exactly! And exactly!

Once a contract is signed, it is old business. But the players' relationships on the court prevail all season long. In addition to the points above, Bledsoe has not proven to be a leader on the court. That precludes him from leading the team as Point Guard. And he is neither tall enough nor proficient enough to be a solid Shooting Guard.

I've said it, I will keep saying it... that you guys are so thin skinned by a contract negotiation is depressing. I realize some of you had a bizarre hate for him before any of this began, so its not surprising that there is one crowd that completely condemns him.

Do you really think that insulting ASFN posters who have opinions different than yours is going to have any effect on the Suns performance on the court?

 

[FutureSuperstar]

I have heard some people before say Bledsoe isn't that important and we should just do a S&T instead of going through the waiting game (to eventually pay him 12-13 million / yr) because we have Thomas/Dragic/Ennis/Goodwin/Green ... But think big picture:

I agree that it will be tough, and pointless, to keep all of these guys long-term ... But imagine next offseason having Bledsoe as a trade asset, perhaps to combine w/ the Lakers lottery pick, - Those are two VERY VALUABLE pieces that can be combined into a trade ...

The Suns could then go into 2015-16 season w/ Thomas, Dragic, Goodwin (would finally get his chance to shine), Ennis, and Green at the guards and turn Bledsoe/Lakers Pick into a Big-time front-court player (or just Bledsoe and keep the pick) ....

That is why signing Bledsoe is so important - We have a lot of guards now, but I don't think you just give up on re-signing a star guard because of that ...

 

[devilalum]

I have heard some people before say Bledsoe isn't that important and we should just do a S&T instead of going through the waiting game because we have Thomas/Dragic/Ennis/Goodwin/Green ... But think big picture:

I agree that it will be tough, and pointless, to keep all of these guys long-term ... But imagine next offseason having Bledsoe as a trade asset, perhaps to combine w/ the Lakers lottery pick, - Those are two VERY VALUABLE pieces that can be combined into a trade ...

The Suns could then go into 2015-16 season w/ Thomas, Dragic, Goodwin (would finally get his chance to shine), Ennis, and Green at the guards and turn Bledsoe/Lakers Pick into a Big-time front-court player (or just Bledsoe and keep the pick) ....

That is why signing Bledsoe is so important - We have a lot of guards now, but I don't think you just give up on re-signing a star guard because of that ...

Or the Suns could give him a big contract then he plays 40 games and becomes an untradable albatross.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Or the Suns could give him a big contract then he plays 40 games and becomes an untradable albatross.

That's a risk for any player. Only the medical staff knows how much more of a risk it is for Bledsoe.

Steve

 

[devilalum]

That's a risk for any player. Only the medical staff knows how much more of a risk it is for Bledsoe.

Steve

I'd say its a higher risk for a player that already has two 40 game seasons in his first 4. The Suns obviously agree. If he'd played 80 games this year the Suns would be offering more than 4/48 and he would have got a fat offer from some other team.

 

[BC867]

I'd say its a higher risk for a player that already has two 40 game seasons in his first 4. The Suns obviously agree. If he'd played 80 games this year the Suns would be offering more than 4/48 and he would have got a fat offer from some other team.

 

[Mainstreet]

Yes, I do NOT want to see him back.

I think you meant does anyone WANT to see him back after this whole saga.

I didn't want to see him back before the whole saga. I thought he's a flake and that it would catch up with him or with us eventually. 'Didn't take too long.

It is also why I don't want to see him running the team as Point Guard.

So what do you want to happen. Maybe a sign and trade even if it is not close to value? IMO, the worst case scenario is he plays out his contract on a qualifying offer. I don't think I could stomach him suiting up. Although Tim Thomas was a great fit for the Suns during a partial season, the Bulls (?) refused to play him and he was waived. If Bledsoe is not part of the Suns future, I do not want to see him playing. I'd rather try and develop Ennis.

On my dark side I would keep him on a qualifying contract and let him sit out the season.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I'd say its a higher risk for a player that already has two 40 game seasons in his first 4. The Suns obviously agree. If he'd played 80 games this year the Suns would be offering more than 4/48 and he would have got a fat offer from some other team.

4/48 is a fat offer and it's not too far below the max other teams can offer. The problem is that they knew we'd match it so there was no value in tying up their assets. But following your logic, you're saying that they knew he was an injury risk so they only offered him a lot of money instead of a whole lot of money. Do you really offer someone 48 million dollars if you think very much of this risk? Lastly, it's quite likely the reason we didn't offer 80 million is because we don't need to offer 80 million. His injury past is clearly working against him but not necessarily as a predictor of the future.

Steve

 

[SirStefan32]

Exactly! And exactly!

Once a contract is signed, it is old business. But the players' relationships on the court prevail all season long. In addition to the points above, Bledsoe has not proven to be a leader on the court. That precludes him from leading the team as Point Guard. And he is neither tall enough nor proficient enough to be a solid Shooting Guard.

Could not agree more. You, Eric, and devilalum are spot on.

 

[Mainstreet]

4/48 is a fat offer and it's not too far below the max other teams can offer. The problem is that they knew we'd match it so there was no value in tying up their assets. But following your logic, you're saying that they knew he was an injury risk so they only offered him a lot of money instead of a whole lot of money. Do you really offer someone 48 million dollars if you think very much of this risk? Lastly, it's quite likely the reason we didn't offer 80 million is because we don't need to offer 80 million. His injury past is clearly working against him but not necessarily as a predictor of the future.

Steve

I think there is a certain amount of risk one takes in anything, sort of like risk management. Offering a 48 million dollar contract is less risky than offering an 80 million dollar contract. Both are lots of money but the 48 million dollar contract has less downside with his past history of injury.

 

[Sci Fi]

So what do you want to happen. Maybe a sign and trade even if it is not close to value?

Here's 2 trades I would be interested in.

S&T Bledsoe for George Hill. I think his game is an excellent fit along side Dragic and Thomas. Good defender who can guard the 1 or 2. Could guard 2's with Thomas and 1's or 2's with Dragic depending upon matchups. Very good shooter
with a very low TO rate. Will clearly play at the 2 so no confusion. I also like his contract. 3 years at 8 mill per. Duration and amount are both good. Hey, and Pop loved him. I'd be ecstatic with this trade.

S&T Bledsoe for Nash plus a Laker future first (2017?) and several seconds. Why? I know this is Steve's last year but I think he still could be an excellent back-up for 15-18 minutes. He could outplay Ennis in his sleep. I also think he'd be a HUGE boost to team chemistry (the Anti-Bledsoe). His help could be the difference between a playoff spot or not. And if things went well, maybe he'd stick around on the cheap for a year or two. As to the future picks, I'd expect they could have huge value. The Lakers are fast becoming a dumpster fire. This trade would just add a little gasoline. Bledsoe thinks he can lead a team. Problem is, he can't. In 2017 with no Kobe, it will turn ugly.

 

[Mainstreet]

Here's 2 trades I would be interested in.

S&T Bledsoe for George Hill. I think his game is an excellent fit along side Dragic and Thomas. Good defender who can guard the 1 or 2. Could guard 2's with Thomas and 1's or 2's with Dragic depending upon matchups. Very good shooter
with a very low TO rate. Will clearly play at the 2 so no confusion. I also like his contract. 3 years at 8 mill per. Duration and amount are both good. Hey, and Pop loved him. I'd be ecstatic with this trade.

S&T Bledsoe for Nash plus a Laker future first (2017?) and several seconds. Why? I know this is Steve's last year but I think he still could be an excellent back-up for 15-18 minutes. He could outplay Ennis in his sleep. I also think he'd be a HUGE boost to team chemistry (the Anti-Bledsoe). His help could be the difference between a playoff spot or not. And if things went well, maybe he'd stick around on the cheap for a year or two. As to the future picks, I'd expect they could have huge value. The Lakers are fast becoming a dumpster fire. This trade would just add a little gasoline. Bledsoe thinks he can lead a team. Problem is, he can't. In 2017 with no Kobe, it will turn ugly.

I'd only have a modest interest in the first option but I have heard rumors the Pacers have been interested in trading for Dragic for a long time because they want an upgrade over George Hill. I don't know if they would have the same interest in Bledsoe. However, I cannot see a trade package that intrigues me.

 

[devilalum]

I'd only have a modest interest in the first option but I have heard rumors the Pacers have been interested in trading for Dragic for a long time because they want an upgrade over George Hill. I don't know if they would have the same interest in Bledsoe. However, I cannot see a trade package that intrigues me.

I thought top notch agents were supposed to find and broker these deals.

 

[Mainstreet]

I thought top notch agents were supposed to find and broker these deals.

I haven't heard from any lately.

 

[devilalum]

A year ago the Suns got Bledsoe for Jared Dudley. How much more is he worth now after having knee surgery and playing 40 games?

Would Bledsoe put up the same numbers he did here in any other system? How many players have put up gawdy numbers in the Suns SSOL, run and gun system and never come close to that again after going to another team?

 

[elindholm]

I have heard some people before say Bledsoe isn't that important and we should just do a S&T

... But imagine next offseason having Bledsoe as a trade asset, perhaps to combine w/ the Lakers lottery pick, - Those are two VERY VALUABLE pieces that can be combined into a trade ...

If the goal is to trade Bledsoe, better to do it now while he's healthy.

 

[desertdawg]

We won't win as much with out him, we have the money to pay him. If he signs he signs, if he doesn't than adios.

:fin:

 

[BC867]

A year ago the Suns got Bledsoe for Jared Dudley. How much more is he worth now after having knee surgery and playing 40 games?

That is one of the most effective two-sentence paragraphs I have read.

It really puts the Eric Bledsoe vs. Suns situation into perspective. And apparently it is Eric Bledsoe vs. the Suns at this point.

From the movie Beauty and the Beast, "You're either with us or against us." (GM Ryan McDonough is the Suns' beauty...)

 

[BC867]

We won't win as much with out him, we have the money to pay him. If he signs he signs, if he doesn't than adios.

:fin:

The flip side to that is the sooner he moves on, the sooner the Suns can replace him in the starting lineup with a pure Shooting Guard. The longer he lingers, the longer it is put off.

The Front Office owes Jeff Hornacek more planning than that.

 

[Phrazbit]

Do you really think that insulting ASFN posters who have opinions different than yours is going to have any effect on the Suns performance on the court?

No, and nothing in my post inferred that I did.

 

[Mainstreet]

A year ago the Suns got Bledsoe for Jared Dudley. How much more is he worth now after having knee surgery and playing 40 games?

Would Bledsoe put up the same numbers he did here in any other system? How many players have put up gawdy numbers in the Suns SSOL, run and gun system and never come close to that again after going to another team?

The Suns figure he was worth at least 48 million from the games he played.

 

[Phrazbit]

The flip side to that is the sooner he moves on, the sooner the Suns can replace him in the starting lineup with a pure Shooting Guard. The longer he lingers, the longer it is put off.

The Front Office owes Jeff Hornacek more planning than that.

They want two point/combo guards on the court at all times, the team has made that clear. Its the reason they went after Thomas. What is far more likely is you will see Bledsoe replaced by a similar but lesser player.

 

[AzStevenCal]

A year ago the Suns got Bledsoe for Jared Dudley. How much more is he worth now after having knee surgery and playing 40 games?

Would Bledsoe put up the same numbers he did here in any other system? How many players have put up gawdy numbers in the Suns SSOL, run and gun system and never come close to that again after going to another team?

How many players have inflated defensive stats as a result of playing in our system? I'm so tired of us being at or near the bottom of the league defensively and Bledsoe single-handedly put an end to that. I know he's not the prettiest point guard/combo guard in the league. But the facts are, we win at a high rate when he and Goran are healthy and we are a .500 team when one of them is missing. If we lose him for anything less than a star level player, we've taken a step back. The fact we gave up just Jared Dudley matters not - we'll be a lesser team without him.

Steve

 

[Sci Fi]

They want two point/combo guards on the court at all times, the team has made that clear. Its the reason they went after Thomas. What is far more likely is you will see Bledsoe replaced by a similar but lesser player.

Ah, George Hill fits perfectly.

A better shooter, less turnovers and still excellent defense. Cheaper and with less injury risk or contract length. And, with Thomas being a better offensive player than Bledsoe by a reasonable margin, this team could be special. And(!), Greg Popovich loved him so we know he's a good team player.

Make it so, Ryan!

 

[Cheesebeef]

Ah, George Hill fits perfectly.

A better shooter, less turnovers and still excellent defense. Cheaper and with less injury risk or contract length. And, with Thomas being a better offensive player than Bledsoe by a reasonable margin, this team could be special. And(!), Greg Popovich loved him so we know he's a good team player.

Make it so, Ryan!

thank god you don't work for the Suns.