Breaking news!

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I think we can stop thinking how this would work. I just don't see it happening. If I am the Suns's I would want Dieng, LaVine, and Martin for him. That doesn't work for us. Maybe they have interest in Shabazz after he worked them over last year.

I'm not so sure, bleed. Phoenix doesn't seem to be holding any cards here, as Flip appears to be the only GM willing to consider paying Bledsoe what he wants. Phoenix is saying that they want an all star or a near all star in return via sign and trade, and Pek might be the best they can get. I can't believe they are sold on the futures of Plumlee or Len, and Pek plus JJ is certainly much better than nothing. I think if Flip really wants Bledsoe, he can make this work.

That's why I think the real question is "Should Flip overpay for Bledsoe", because I don't think he deserves the contract he is asking for. The fact that no other team is in the conversation is evidence that he is not deemed to be worth $15+ per year. However, I couldn't be more on the fence on this question. Part of me says that tying that kind of money up in an undersized SG is not a good move for this franchise (I don't see Bledsoe as an option at PG...he hasn't shown that he can adequately take care of the ball). On the other hand, the athletic starting lineup that Q lays out above would be a terror defensively, and also would give Flip a high-scoring option off the bench in Martin. And I'm not worried about blocking LaVine, as I think he will need a couple years before he can make a major contribution.

I know I'm being wishy washy on this issue, but I'm going to wait to see how this unfolds. I really don't know if getting Bledsoe is the right move or not, but I won't be unhappy if it happens.

[mjs34]

Cool. My doubt is whether rubio and bledsoe can be an elite and great pairing, which i dont think they can be. A good pairing, yes. But it wont be as good as dragic/bledsoe or even curry/ellis. If they are going to be the highest paid pair on the team, i would want them to be a elite pair which i dont see.

Bledsoe is a scoring pg. He is more like a tony parker, he can score but he is also an effective pg and distributor. He and dragic were great together because both can score the ball and its hard for the d to concentrate on 1 as the other is just as dangerous offensively as the other. Rubio meanwhile is not a good scorer and off the ball threat. The pairing can work and is good but its not going to be great/elite.

World sums up my thoughts well. I think it is too much salary for the on court play. I also think you significantly reduce Rubio's defensive contribution when he is moved to guarding SG's. I personally am really tired of playing with either undersized or slow lineups, particularly when we have other options. Then take into account Bledsoe's injury history, and we add to another weakness of past wolves teams. I was unhappy with the deal we gave to Pek based on his history of injuries, and I think we are playing Russian roulette by signing another player to big money with the same issue.

We are in a position now to develop a couple high upside players, and retain some flexibility to fill in around them should that happen. I don't want to risk that moving forward for what I think is an overrated player who has performed at a high rate for half a season as a starter.

[TheGrey08]

I just can't get over his lack of height. Sure Rubio can guard 2s next to him, but I still don't like it. It's intriguing though. When Woj & Krawczynski shot it down I was kinda relieved.

[mrhockey89]

sjm, I have a couple thoughts on what you said..

1) The salary being too much is a fair argument to have, although you have to compare it to the alternatives as well as the future salary cap to really have a good discussion on this. Same reason for whether to give Ricky extra money..

2) I don't get why you think that Ricky guarding SGs would be a problem? His biggest problem on defense has always been staying in front of quick PGs. Ricky is a very good off-ball defender and plays passing lanes as well as anyone.

3) Why does adding Bledsoe limit us from being able to develop young guys? If anything it just gives those guys better competition and someone to learn from, while keeping the team competitive in the meantime and in the mix for a playoff spot, and producing a winning atmosphere for the young guys to be around. And if LaVine turns out to be that good, then great..we can always trade Bledsoe later...and his contract would be up by the time the young guys need their extensions anyway.

[bleedspeed]

I don't see the Suns wanting Pek. They gave Gortat away last year for a 12 top protected pick. I am sure they would rather not be paying Pek then make the trade for him.

They might be more willing to trade for JJ and Martin. They at least get some cap relief and another shooter to add to the team at a reasonable contract. If they would do that I would be all over it.

[60WinTim]

While I wouldn't complain about adding Bledsoe, I would not want to part with Pek, and I have a hard time seeing any trade for Bledsoe not involving Pek, from both a talent standpoint and a salary-matching standpoint.

I am really happy with the balance of experience and talent we have across the roster. Adding Bledsoe while losing Pek would upset that balance.

Plus I think Pek is going to have a huge year for us, and will be a major reason we make the playoffs.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I think we can stop thinking how this would work. I just don't see it happening. If I am the Suns's I would want Dieng, LaVine, and Martin for him. That doesn't work for us. Maybe they have interest in Shabazz after he worked them over last year.

Wolfson said they want Wiggins, which is clearly not happening. They could want just one of Dieng or LaVine and I'd hang up the phone. That's an unrealistic asking price.

[bleedspeed]

I think we can stop thinking how this would work. I just don't see it happening. If I am the Suns's I would want Dieng, LaVine, and Martin for him. That doesn't work for us. Maybe they have interest in Shabazz after he worked them over last year.

Wolfson said they want Wiggins, which is clearly not happening. They could want just one of Dieng or LaVine and I'd hang up the phone. That's an unrealistic asking price.

I don't think it is unrealistic. It is just we shouldn't do that. I wouldn't even give up the protection on our pick.

I would try Martin/JJ/GR3 and likely get told not happening. I could see offering that plus Shabazz or Bennett and our pick back. I don't think Flip does that.


Another interesting event for the Suns.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/realgm-zoran-dragic-advanced-discussions-133223918.html

[mrhockey89]

bleed, we could do a lot of trades that wouldn't include Pek from a salary matching standpoint if we use our trade exception. Of course...I think they'd require LaVine or multiple 1sts in return and may not be worth it for one or both teams., but I don't see the matching being a big problem.

[TAFKASP]

bleed, we could do a lot of trades that wouldn't include Pek from a salary matching standpoint if we use our trade exception. Of course...I think they'd require LaVine or multiple 1sts in return and may not be worth it for one or both teams., but I don't see the matching being a big problem.

Can't use the exception with any other assets. It's the exception, or part of the exception for a player or players, that's it.