Suns News: The Offseason

[Shabazz]

Yea I was thinking about Ish Smith too. His contract isn't guaranteed so Ennis will probably take his spot. I like Ish a lot, especially his speed with the ball, which Ennis doesn't have. But Ennis will be much more of a true PG so Bledsoe, Dragic and even Archie can play off him.

This is a big thing. It hurt Archie that a lot of his minutes were alongside Ish, maybe the worst shooter in the NBA.

[Superbone]

Was thinking today that maybe McDornacek will still keep Bledsoe and use Ennis in Smiths place leaving the Suns with 3 capable PG who all offer varying skills giving us a different looks. We'd always have a PG who the Suns can confidently rely on to run the offense. Thats a very unique advantage. We could push the pace for 48 minutes.

Also at the rate Bled and Dragic get banged up, he's nice insurance. Maybe we don't drop off as much when one or the other is out.

[Superbone]

As a surprise to nobody, the Suns extended qualifying offers to Bledsoe and Tucker.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/suns-exten ... --nba.html

[carey]

Listened to Gambo today: Suns plan on bringing both PJ and Frye back. If someone gives PJ the midlevel he's gone. The Suns *could* still go out and sign Luol Deng.

Suns had Warren and Payne rated VERY similarly. There were internal discussions right up until the pick over which F they would take. They feel like Warren is better because he has amazing hands, catches any pass thrown his way if it's remotely in his radius. Loved his bag of tricks for throwing the ball in the hoop.

Gambo also thought we were going Gary Harris. Harris was also neck & neck with Ennis. So our draft could very well have been Payne & Harris over Warren & Ennis. Toronto actually did call and inquire about Ennis but had little to offer.

A game without Goran & Bledsoe at Utah last season where they started Ish convinced everyone they needed a top flight back-up PG. Is it insurance over losing Bled OR Dragic? Yes. It will take some time for Ennis to be who they think he can be. 3 years younger than Napier, gets after it a little defensively, having a guy that can legit run the show is important w/ how much Bled has been injured and how much Goran breaks down at the end of the year. Convinced Ennis will be a starter in this league.

Gambo says "make no mistake about it, they can NOT and will NOT keep both Bledsoe and Dragic on max contracts." If they max Eric they have to choose after next year which they will keep. Can not have both making max money. (Carey's note: You'll look like the Pelicans though I'd absolutely give Goran a mini max. He's a true Sun.)

[Ring_Wanted]

Listened to Gambo today: Suns plan on bringing both PJ and Frye back. If someone gives PJ the midlevel he's gone. The Suns *could* still go out and sign Luol Deng.

Good to read this about PJ and Frye. I wouldn't go after Deng anyway.

Suns had Warren and Payne rated VERY similarly. There were internal discussions right up until the pick over which F they would take. They feel like Warren is better because he has amazing hands, catches any pass thrown his way if it's remotely in his radius. Loved his bag of tricks for throwing the ball in the hoop.

His ability to catch passes is also one of the main reason as to why I loved him. Between Warren-Payne I would have gone with TJ everytime, but I get why Payne was heavily considered. Before his rookie contract expires he could be a prolific 3pt shooter and also a relevant defender, so that's a perfect guy for our system right there.

Gambo also thought we were going Gary Harris. Harris was also neck & neck with Ennis. So our draft could very well have been Payne & Harris over Warren & Ennis. Toronto actually did call and inquire about Ennis but had little to offer.

Harris would have probably been the value pick, but improving over Ish could be an underrated move. If this consumate PG aura is indeed true, that's it. McD also said before that they had TJ and Ennis rated much higher than #14-18.

Gambo says "make no mistake about it, they can NOT and will NOT keep both Bledsoe and Dragic on max contracts." If they max Eric they have to choose after next year which they will keep. Can not have both making max money. (Carey's note: You'll look like the Pelicans though I'd absolutely give Goran a mini max. He's a true Sun.)

It's fine if when it comes down to it they don't want to pay both players the max at the same time. That's $30M, so I get it. I hope they manage to find a common ground but no matter what, just don't let Bledsoe go for nothing this summer. If need be, you look at trade options after next season. He'll have a market if nothing catastrophic happens.

[Aztec Sunsfan]

Yeah, I would prefer to get something for Bledsoe in a S&T and next year deal with Goran without a backcourt partner making twice as much entering the negotiations.

[Sunsfan4life]

Yeah, I would prefer to get something for Bledsoe in a S&T and next year deal with Goran without a backcourt partner making twice as much entering the negotiations.

David Aldridge thinks we will sign someone very very big this off-season. Not Anthony or Lebron, but someone in the next tier. He says "who wouldn't want to play in Phoenix?" and thinks people are underrating the potential we have to sign big FA's.

If its between Goran and Eric, I'm going Dragic all day. I fully agree with not maxing both out though, its a 1 way ticket to mediocrity.

[ShelC]

I'd love for us to be the Spurs, get both guys to buy in for the good of the team and sign for 10mil each.

Here's the other thing, is Dragic going to ask for the max and are we going to give it to him? Is he a max guy?? Let's not let emotion get in the way of a sound decision. He'll be 29 at the end of 14-15 with a PO for 7.5. Do we want him making 18-20 mil when he's 34?

David Aldridge thinks we will sign someone very very big this off-season. Not Anthony or Lebron, but someone in the next tier.

So who? I don't see anyone very, very big outside of those two. Most are RFAs and we wouldn't go swing with Parsons, Hayward, or Deng. Make a run at Monroe? Gasol?

[Sunsfan4life]

I'm just repeating what he's saying. Not that I'm advacating it, but the next tier is probably lead by Bosh/Hayward/Monroe etc...

He also mentioned trades as an option because they brought Love up and he said someone in that situation which I guess means someone who wants out. He said Us and the Nuggets are set up similar to what Boston was when they made the deals for Allen and Garnet with picks and young assets.

I think Mcondaugh would be best staying the course...sniff around with Hayward and Monroe but make sure they aren't overpaying. I am eager tosee who he brings in come July 1

[Mori Chu]

Hayward, Horford. Jimmer.

[Aztec Sunsfan]

Bledsoe barely spent the year in Phoenix. He wouldn't take a 10mill per year contract for the good sake of the team. But if we max him out Eric, or near to it, then Goran would want a similar contract.

And I don't believe Bledsoe is worth it, 10mill sounds about right, more than that and we have the next Eric Gordon: Good player, but not 14mill-Good-player. If all comes to that number, I say let's make it another team's problem and trade him JJ style.

As long as the Pistons keep Smith, I think of them as a natural partner to swap Bledsoe and Monroe, but if rumors were true, Stan has already started to look for a trade with JSmoove.

[Ring_Wanted]

Nobody believes Bledsoe is worth the max, or close to it. The issue has always been wether or not you let him go for nothing if it comes down to it.

Not every time you get to negotiate with a desperate and utterly dysfunctional FO like the 2005 Hawks.

Teams with no money to spend of course need to do a sign and trade, but if I am another team with cap space, like say the Mavs or the Lakers, I just make Eric sign the offer sheet instead of engaging in sign and trade bargainings, because the player is going to be expensive no matter what. Just what, 3M per year, takes him down from max-like to tolerably overpaid.

If I am said team, I only go the s+t route if the utility of that amount is bigger than the assets I am sending to Phoenix, and that's a pretty narrow margin. I don't give up a mere low 1stR, for instance. If Phoenix matches, so be it. After all, Bledsoe is not a can't miss talent nor comes concern free, and there are alternatives in the market like Kyle Lowry, probably cheaper and simpler to get.

[Mori Chu]

Would any of you guys want Josh Smith here? I think I wouldn't, but he could potentially be a good starting 4 in a fast uptempo system like ours. I still wouldn't take the chance on him, but it is interesting.

[Ring_Wanted]

Sure. As long as Drummond is attached to him.

[carey]

You've been kicking ass with your posts lately Ring.

[TOO]

Would any of you guys want Josh Smith here? I think I wouldn't, but he could potentially be a good starting 4 in a fast uptempo system like ours. I still wouldn't take the chance on him, but it is interesting.

I'd rather sign Monroe. Finding a PF who excels in the paint is becoming increasingly rare. Smith is a turd

[carey]

Would any of you guys want Josh Smith here? I think I wouldn't, but he could potentially be a good starting 4 in a fast uptempo system like ours. I still wouldn't take the chance on him, but it is interesting.

If you would have asked me 2 years ago? Yes, definitely. Unfortunately, what his game has regressed to in the last 2 seasons is nothing short of horrendous. I'd take him if he were making the MLE or thereabouts, but he has 3 (!) seasons left at $13.5 Mil. No thanks.

[carey]

Quick unofficial poll.

Bledsoe at $12 Mil a year or Parsons at $10 Mil a year? I know we could have both but I'm curious what the board would choose.

[ShelC]

Bledsoe.

[TOO]

If I were forced to choose its Bledsoe, more valuable skillset/position would bring more in a trade. Parsons is an great high end role player, but Bledsoe can take over a game.