Suns, Eric Bledsoe Far Apart In Talks

[KloD]

I'm pretty sure Sarver just said that they hadn't spoken directly to Eric since the season ended. It was a (believed to be) leak from Bledsoe's camp that said there had been no communication for almost 6 months (when the season was barely 4 months old. Anyway, it's my understanding that there has been regular dialogue with Bledsoe's people but not with Bledsoe himself.

Steve

I was referring to the idea that the media had made it up. They didn't. Sarver said they had not spoke to Eric in 4 months, but they didn't claim to have had zero contact with the agent. Rather he said there has been no negotiations in that time. I've not seen any actual media report that they hadn't had any contact in 6 months, I've only seen fans or twitter BS.

Anyway, I'm not saying the info isn't real. I'm only saying that the claim that the media made it up is. While there may be communication between Eric's agents and the Suns, it has not been negotiations toward a contract according to what Sarver said. I don't know what that dialogue would concern if it isn't discussing a contract, but I suppose they could talk.

Either way, this will be resolved in the next few weeks. Every time my phone gives that ESPN alert, I keep hoping it will be something about this situation. but alas, it never is....

 

[AzStevenCal]

I was referring to the idea that the media had made it up. They didn't. Sarver said they had not spoke to Eric in 4 months, but they didn't claim to have had zero contact with the agent. Rather he said there has been no negotiations in that time. I've not seen any actual media report that they hadn't had any contact in 6 months, I've only seen fans or twitter BS.

Anyway, I'm not saying the info isn't real. I'm only saying that the claim that the media made it up is. While there may be communication between Eric's agents and the Suns, it has not been negotiations toward a contract according to what Sarver said. I don't know what that dialogue would concern if it isn't discussing a contract, but I suppose they could talk.

Either way, this will be resolved in the next few weeks. Every time my phone gives that ESPN alert, I keep hoping it will be something about this situation. but alas, it never is....

Chris Haynes who is a reporter for the Northeast Ohio Media Group reported earlier this month "Approaching six months of "zero communication" between Suns and RFA Eric Bledsoe, league source says. Qualifying offer imminent". But it's been pretty obvious all along that his "league sources" are Rich Paul and company.

Steve

 

[JCSunsfan]

Chris Haynes who is a reporter for the Northeast Ohio Media Group reported earlier this month "Approaching six months of "zero communication" between Suns and RFA Eric Bledsoe, league source says. Qualifying offer imminent". But it's been pretty obvious all along that his "league sources" are Rich Paul and company.

Steve

That is just Rich Paul trying to get some team to say, "Hey, Eric is really unhappy. Maybe the Suns are fed up. Let's get involved."

But what they are not going to say is, "Let's give Eric a max deal."

Its just a bad negotiating style. Rather than getting adversarial in negotiations, you try to convince the person you are negotiating why it is in their best interest to do what you want.

 

[AzStevenCal]

That is just Rich Paul trying to get some team to say, "Hey, Eric is really unhappy. Maybe the Suns are fed up. Let's get involved."

But what they are not going to say is, "Let's give Eric a max deal."

Its just a bad negotiating style. Rather than getting adversarial in negotiations, you try to convince the person you are negotiating why it is in their best interest to do what you want.

I think it's poor technique too but you know who really crossed the line? Chris Haynes. Paul's decision to make this adversarial is questionable at best but Chris Haynes behavior has been very unprofessional. You don't call yourself a reporter and do what he's done. It's okay to say sources close to the situation but if your information is coming directly from Paul and his team than it's a lie to say it's come from "league sources". Sarver as much as admitted it was all a lie and that it probably came from Paul so it's not like it's fooling anyone except for the fans that want to use it as ammunition to attack Eric.

Steve

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think it's poor technique too but you know who really crossed the line? Chris Haynes. Paul's decision to make this adversarial is questionable at best but Chris Haynes behavior has been very unprofessional. You don't call yourself a reporter and do what he's done. It's okay to say sources close to the situation but if your information is coming directly from Paul and his team than it's a lie to say it's come from "league sources". Sarver as much as admitted it was all a lie and that it probably came from Paul so it's not like it's fooling anyone except for the fans that want to use it as ammunition to attack Eric.

Steve

Agreed, assuming your characterization is the actual scenario. BTW. If you make a thread about it on the RealGM general board, Rich Paul will probably see it. I do believe he reads that board.

 

[Mainstreet]

Paul Coro does an in-depth article at azcentral on 9-15-14 about the Bledsoe situation as he steadily edges torward a qualifying offer. Coro covers it from just about every aspect.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/spor...line-looms-bledsoe-headed-year-deal/15700239/

 

[mojorizen7]

I don't know about Bledsoe, but this is definitely a MAX thread.

 

[Covert Rain]

I don't know about Bledsoe, but this is definitely a MAX thread.

LOL. I think you are overvaluing this thread. I move to adjust this thread to a qualifying one.

 

[BC867]

LOL. I think you are overvaluing this thread. I move to adjust this thread to a qualifying one.

I think he was referring to quantity. Over 1,130 posts.

 

[Covert Rain]

I think he was referring to quantity. Over 1,130 posts.

I got that. I was saying that much like Bledsoe thinking his value is greater, most of the posts in this thread are probably overvalued as well.

 

[Cheesebeef]

this situation sucks. leaves the franchise in rebuild limbo.

 

[Mainstreet]

A couple of tweets:

Paul Coro @paulcoro · 2h

(more) "...But when a player has been a backup and has played half a season, there’s some real limits as to what value there is presently."

Paul Coro @paulcoro · 2h

Jerry Colangelo when asked about Bledsoe on @Bickley_Marotta: "You would like to see some equity involved, where people have earned it ..."

https://twitter.com/paulcoro

 

[Phoenix219]

I think he was referring to quantity. Over 1,130 posts.

So what you're saying is this thread is healthier then Bledsoe?

 

[Superbone]

So what you're saying is this thread is healthier then Bledsoe?

His ego is plenty healthy.

 

[Covert Rain]

His ego is plenty healthy.

 

[Phoenix219]

His ego is plenty healthy.

Not for long, with how many minutes he's playing it....

just wait til the crash n burn

 

[Town Drunk]

Wolves have spoken to Suns about Eric Bledsoe
Eric Bledsoe | PHO
(September 18, 2014 1:36 PM EDT)
The Minnesota Timberwolves have reportedly been in contact with the Phoenix Suns about Eric Bledsoe.
These discussions have reportedly happened even after the Kevin Love trade, but it doesn't sound like much headway has been made as the teams aren't matching up on assets. Bledsoe hasn't received any offers as a restricted free agent and has until October 1 to sign his one-year qualifying offer. There may be more to come here, but the smart money is on Bledsoe opening the regular season with the Suns and providing early-to-mid round fantasy value.
SOURCE: DARREN WOLFSON ON Twitter

 

[Mainstreet]

Wolves have spoken to Suns about Eric Bledsoe
Eric Bledsoe | PHO
(September 18, 2014 1:36 PM EDT)
The Minnesota Timberwolves have reportedly been in contact with the Phoenix Suns about Eric Bledsoe.
These discussions have reportedly happened even after the Kevin Love trade, but it doesn't sound like much headway has been made as the teams aren't matching up on assets. Bledsoe hasn't received any offers as a restricted free agent and has until October 1 to sign his one-year qualifying offer. There may be more to come here, but the smart money is on Bledsoe opening the regular season with the Suns and providing early-to-mid round fantasy value.
SOURCE: DARREN WOLFSON ON Twitter

I'm not sure how the trade would look but I'd like the Wolves to remove the protection from the first round pick they owe us as part of any trade.

 

[Finito]

Wolves have spoken to Suns about Eric Bledsoe
Eric Bledsoe | PHO
(September 18, 2014 1:36 PM EDT)
The Minnesota Timberwolves have reportedly been in contact with the Phoenix Suns about Eric Bledsoe.
These discussions have reportedly happened even after the Kevin Love trade, but it doesn't sound like much headway has been made as the teams aren't matching up on assets. Bledsoe hasn't received any offers as a restricted free agent and has until October 1 to sign his one-year qualifying offer. There may be more to come here, but the smart money is on Bledsoe opening the regular season with the Suns and providing early-to-mid round fantasy value.
SOURCE: DARREN WOLFSON ON Twitter

God yes get rid of him for anything you can get. Couple of draft picks I'm all for it

 

[SirStefan32]

Dieng and removed protection from the pick they owe us is all I'd want. I'd even absorb Barea's contract. I don't think this will happen though, unless Minni gets rid of Rubio and decide to max out Bledsoe instead.

 

[Hoop Head]

I'm not sure what Minny has that the Suns would want outside of Thad Young, Wiggins and maybe Bennett (he does have potential). I don't see any of those players moving though since they were all just dealt and I don't think they could be moved again in time for a sign and trade unless it was a straight 1 for 1 trade but the contracts don't come close enough with Bennett or Wiggins, would Young & Picks for Bledsoe be worth it?

Young has a player option for next season, which he'll most likely exercise, so we may end up with nothing player wise other than trading a disgruntled guard who may only be here 1 year for a tweener forward who will be a free agent next summer who will probably be looking at a deal no less than what Bledsoe was offered, 4/48 next summer. The Wolves would need to remove all protection from their pick they owe us plus throw in another with little protection if any.

Dieng would be another young project Center, which we have 2 of already, and would also require they add in 2 other players to make the salaries work, unless we take on Pekovic's deal but there is no way Minny gives up both of their Centers for Bledsoe. Even if they did part with both to us the Suns would be idiots to add 2 more Centers, giving us 4 while none can play PF and Pekovic's deal has 4 years at $12 million per year so we'd have 1 guy getting paid like a start while 3 developing players at the same position who would be forced to share back up minutes for the next couple of years. Outside of that ridiculous idea they'd need to send at least other players to make salaries work and none of the players making that money are enticing, Budinger, Martin, or Barea. Martin's deal is for 3 more years, at around $7 million per, Budinger is at $5 a year this year and has a player option next year for $5.5. Barea is at $4.5 expiring. Any deal with Minny would need a third team that would be interested enough in some of those parts, probably either Pekovic or Dieng, to give the Suns some player value as well as picks from either the Wolves or the third team. So to me, it seems like Minnesota is a long shot unless someone out there would be willing to give up some real quality for either Dieng or Pekovic, the others are mostly filler players but decent.

 

[elindholm]

If the Wolves offer Pekovic in a sign-and-trade for Bledsoe, the Suns should instantly agree to any other terms of the deal before Minnesota gets smart and changes their minds. Pekovic has a much, much better chance of becoming a real player in this league than Plumlee and Len have put together.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I am to the point where I don't care if Bledsoe is on the Suns or not. I just don't want him to get what he wants and I don't want some other team to get him for peanuts.

 

[Phoenix219]

Unfortunately, it looks like thats going to happen - he may not get his money, but he'll get his choice of destination, and that destination will get him for peanuts. Sucks....

 

[Errntknght]

If the Wolves offer Pekovic in a sign-and-trade for Bledsoe, the Suns should instantly agree to any other terms of the deal before Minnesota gets smart and changes their minds. Pekovic has a much, much better chance of becoming a real player in this league than Plumlee and Len have put together.

My guess is that Pekovic is exactly who they are offering. He's 28, quite prone to injuries and he's tainted with missing the playoffs as well as Love. They got a good young core in Rubio, Dieng and Wiggins and if they are hot to get Bledsoe, I'd say it was because they wanted to make themselves over into the Suns. Pek isn't a great fit for that on top of everything else.

I'm not excited about adding Pekovic for the same reasons I ascribed to Minny and he's not a good defender.