Around the League: May 2014

[INFORMER]

It would be a great help to get some luck in the lottery on Tuesday. One, because it would increase the assets and create an immediately almost most valuable asset to any from any team. Two, it takes away an asset from the Wolves, causing them to desire that asset(Draft pick) even more. I would be OK with the Suns trading down a few spots in the lottery if they won to aquire another 2015 unprotected pick, and draft Vonleh. Then trade a combination of the other picks to move into the top 7 to pick Gordon. This would leave the Suns with a second round pick, along with 3 1sts and a 2nd next year that could be traded.

Landing a top 3 pick is really the only guarantee McDonough can't fail with this draft. And it's the only thing, IMO, that can get this team to genuine contention.

[INFORMER]

The love child of INF and mister radiant.

[TOO]

The love child of INF and mister radiant.

<3

[Charlie Smithy!]

The love child of INF and mister radiant.

That said...

[Phoenix219]

Love has said nothing about not wanting to go to PHX, all I read is that he's not looking for another rebuilding situation.

I wouldn't quite call us a rebuilding situation...

We didn't even make the playoffs. We are in a rebuilding situation. Maybe ahead of schedule thanks to the Bledsoe trade and Goran and Kieff's emergence, but rebuilding after all.

We weren't a barely .500 team, we were a solid 50 win team. Thats not rebuilding. May not be contending, but we are definitely not bottom feeder / rebuilding. When a single player addition could put us into the top 5, I would not consider that a rebuilding situation that should scare off said player.

[Phoenix219]

Wow, we have a Wally West AND a Shazam, now!

[Wally_West]

Wow, we have a Wally West AND a Shazam, now!

[Captain Marv-el]

Wow, we have a Wally West AND a Shazam, now!

[In2ition]

So, I was reading the Love thread on the Wolves realgm forum. Boy, it was long after Saturday's news... It looks like unless the Wolves drag their feet until after the draft, from the consensus of Wolves fans, the only way that the Suns could offer the best package, is if they get into the top 3 from the lottery. This is disappointing, but I guess I don't understand their value of players of other teams. Perhaps, I'm just a blatant homer and over value the Suns players and picks.

[TOO]

Minny fans are gonna be in for a rough ride, they should just hope they get solid value. Players like Love are few and far between. As for how they value our players, whatever, we got Bledsoe for Dudley. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Ring_Wanted]

Love has said nothing about not wanting to go to PHX, all I read is that he's not looking for another rebuilding situation.

I wouldn't quite call us a rebuilding situation...

We didn't even make the playoffs. We are in a rebuilding situation. Maybe ahead of schedule thanks to the Bledsoe trade and Goran and Kieff's emergence, but rebuilding after all.

We weren't a barely .500 team, we were a solid 50 win team. Thats not rebuilding. May not be contending, but we are definitely not bottom feeder / rebuilding. When a single player addition could put us into the top 5, I would not consider that a rebuilding situation that should scare off said player.

Our definition of what's rebuilding may differ, but I can't call the Suns not rebuilding when there is not a consolidated core in place. There is still too much uncertainty surrounding this roster.

[Ring_Wanted]

So, I was reading the Love thread on the Wolves realgm forum. Boy, it was long after Saturday's news... It looks like unless the Wolves drag their feet until after the draft, from the consensus of Wolves fans, the only way that the Suns could offer the best package, is if they get into the top 3 from the lottery. This is disappointing, but I guess I don't understand their value of players of other teams. Perhaps, I'm just a blatant homer and over value the Suns players and picks.

I believe that if we were Wolves fans we'd think the same about our assets. If you are entertaining moving Love, you look at everything and there is a number of teams that can make better offers regardless of the direction the Wolves may want to go after the move.

It would be different if our #5 last year would have been an unanimous hit, or if we indeed win the lotto, but as it is we have many picks although not high enough to compete against say Boston. Our veteran role players who only appeal so much to fans and in the youth department, the Morrii and two unknowns are obviouly behind what other teams would offer.

Now, a FO might value the likes of Green, Frye, etc differently than fanbases, but I don't think it's too hard to know where Minni fans are coming from regarding our chances at Love, assuming you don't put Goran or Bledsoe on the table.

[Captain Marv-el]

They better be happy with some picks and Alex Len► Thats the best they will get with a deep draft and a top prospect for a Player who wants to leave there town in a year► They already lost leverage ▼

Minny fans are gonna be in for a rough ride, they should just hope they get solid value. Players like Love are few and far between. As for how they value our players, whatever, we got Bledsoe for Dudley. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Ring_Wanted]

The Wolves don't hold all the card, but as long as the player doesn't tell them that there is one and only one team where he'd stay, they have options. Phoenix is in no position to force Minni's hand.

[In2ition]

The Wolves don't hold all the card, but as long as the player doesn't tell them that there is one and only one team where he'd stay, they have options. Phoenix is in no position to force Minni's hand.

On that note, you are right. It's not all on the Wolves, because Love has to also want to be there with the right fit for him. I thought this was pretty decent look at 5 reasons why the Suns are the best option for Love.
http://hoopshabit.com/2014/05/19/5-reas ... enix-suns/

[Mori Chu]

The thing that is really bumming me out is that we probably can't get Love without giving away Dragic. And that's just wrong. I know it's bad to over-value your own players, but ... We already got rid of Dragic once. It was wrong to do it. He, SOMEHOW, found it in his heart to come back here, out of fondness and loyalty to the team that drafted him and brought him into the league. We convinced him that we'd made a mistake, that we wanted him here to be our leader. He signed a BELOW VALUE contract, which he has ridiculously exceeded the value of so far. He's been amazing. All this past season he was spectacular, he was our rock. He kept us afloat when Bledsoe was out. He was everything you could possibly ask him to be. He should have been an all-star. Hell, he even got some 5th-place MVP votes. The guy was incredible.

I feel that you just can't trade a guy like that for the latest disgruntled superstar. I really, really want Kevin Love here as a Sun. But I would not do it if Dragic were the price. I'd give up Bledsoe in a heartbeat, but I don't think we can do that because of the contract details. I don't think it is allowed in the new CBA to sign-and-trade an RFA. Can somebody correct me if I'm wrong? And Bledsoe wouldn't go to Minny anyway; he likes winning and would not stand for playing on a crappy team like the Wolves.

So without either of those two in the deal, I just don't see what assets we have that would come even close to getting a deal done. The only thing I can think of is if we give them an absolute boat-load of draft picks, and/or also take bad contract(s) off their hands (Kevin Martin? bleh). I'd be potentially okay with a deal like that, but just DON'T TRADE DRAGIC! You can't treat a guy like that after what he did for us.

[INFORMER]

It looks like unless the Wolves drag their feet until after the draft, from the consensus of Wolves fans, the only way that the Suns could offer the best package, is if they get into the top 3 from the lottery. This is disappointing, but I guess I don't understand their value of players of other teams. Perhaps, I'm just a blatant homer and over value the Suns players and picks.

I haven't seen what those fans have been saying, but I agree that it is very hard to imagine the Suns having anywhere close to the best offer. I think Boston, Golden State, Portland, and you could possibly add Chicago to the list, could all present Minnesota with superior offers than the Suns could.

[In2ition]

It looks like unless the Wolves drag their feet until after the draft, from the consensus of Wolves fans, the only way that the Suns could offer the best package, is if they get into the top 3 from the lottery. This is disappointing, but I guess I don't understand their value of players of other teams. Perhaps, I'm just a blatant homer and over value the Suns players and picks.

I haven't been over them, but I agree that it is very hard to imagine the Suns having anywhere close to the best offer. I think Boston, Golden State, Portland, and you could possibly add Chicago to the list.

I think Love's best fit is in PHX, but the Wolves fans value Gibson a little too much. I don't know about Portland being able to put together a better package.

[In2ition]

I wouldn't want to trade Dragic either. I would like to see him play with Dragic and Bledsoe and the dynamic that they are together. It's a unique matchup advantage that the Suns employ two athletic defensive and offensive minded pgs against the other teams.

[INFORMER]

I don't think it is allowed in the new CBA to sign-and-trade an RFA.

It is allowed.