Bear Down Wildcats

Marc J. Spears ✔ @SpearsNBAYahoo
Suns interested in Love deal w/best assets Dragic, Bledsoe & picks.NBA sources say it will take full max deal to control free agent Bledsoe.

Don't see it. Why would Love want to play for a team that's trading it's two best players and sacrificing future in traded 1sts to get him?

Dragic is near 30 and can opt out after next season.
Bledsoe is a meniscus-less Max contract who plays same position as Rubio.

Silly.

JMarkJohns wrote:Don't see it. Why would Love want to play for a team that's trading it's two best players and sacrificing future in traded 1sts to get him?

Dragic is near 30 and can opt out after next season.
Bledsoe is a meniscus-less Max contract who plays same position as Rubio.

Silly.

I don't think the writer was saying that in his tweet. He was saying they are interested in Love, and to get him their best assets
are Dragic, Bledsoe, and all those picks. I think he's saying it will be some combination of those, not necessarily Dragic AND Bledsoe.

I understand that, but initial tweet is odd and ambiguous.

Either way, unless 3-Team, I don't see Dragic or Bledsoe as part of deal.

No thanks on Love.

Pretty much me too.

Let him go to the Celtics.

I'm not picturing McDonough trading for Love.

Not even sure a Love/Bledsoe combo is much better than what Minnesota has.

Bledsoe and Dragic worked very well together, I think the Suns can eventually get a star player, but I dont think giving up that package helps them much at all.

I'd rather they just go through the draft or get a decent player with their pics and not a player.

Without assurances from Love that he would re-sign, the Suns should keep their picks and try to nail a few of them. Save your cap space, develop your young players and remain flexible.

For all the times that Daryl Morey struck out, it only takes one trade/sign and trade/free agent signing to turn the fortunes of a franchise. The Suns and Celtics are at the top of that list (cap, assets, talented players).

If they can't trade up for Gordon or Randle, then draft:

14 - Harris, Young, Stauskus, Saric, Nurkic (best available)
18 - Capela, Hood, LaVine (best available)
27 - Trade Out for 2014 2nd, 2015 or 2016 1st
2nds - Best foreign prospects available

Ideally, walk out with a stud SG/SF prospect, a stud Euro prospect, a future 1st, and multiple high risk/high upside foreign prospects.

Stockpile picks/prospects that don't count against CAP now.

Then re-sign Bledsoe
Then sign Gasol for 2/20-24
Then sign best defensive SF veteran.

Reports have Suns linked to Knicks in Shumpert/#27 swap, with possible future 2nd included from Knicks for absorbing salary.

Reports also saying Frye will play the market and opt out of Phoenix, likely to either Clippers or Warriors for MLE.

Not sure I buy Suns interest in Shumpert. Makes sense if they believe he can be a cheap, 30 mpg starting SF for another season, but I'd not do this with securing a Knicks 2nd for 2015 or 2017.

It's all happening! McDonough's master plan is now feasible!

1. Acquire LeBron James' little buddy, Eric Bledsoe.
2. Construct a team full of passers, shooters, finishers.
3. Win almost 50 games to show upside status.
4. Start Frye all season so he opts out, feeing up 7 million extra CAP.
5. Have no actual SFs on roster.
6. Draft Adrien Payne at 18, trade other 1sts for 2nds/future 1sts
7. Use Bledsoe to recruit LeBron about winning the city it's first Title.
8. Sign both Bledsoe and James to Max deals.
9. Start: Bledsoe, Dragic, James, Mk.Morris, Plumlee
10. Bench: Goodwin, Green, Mc.Morris, Payne, Len
11. Win a ton of Titles!

In all seriousness, the Suns should really consider re-acquiring Nash from the Lakers by absorbing his salary free and clear, swapping #7 for #18.

Lakers can't sign two max contracts without ridding themselves of both Nash and the cost of a top-7 pick's salary.

Nash also has a 15% trade kicker. Lots of rumblings that a few teams would be willing to take on Nash and the 7th pick in return for a young player (Thad Young).

Lakers need CAP, so not sure why adding Young makes sense.

JMarkJohns wrote:Lakers need CAP, so not sure why adding Young makes sense.

Because I dont think anyone believes they are landing Melo and/or LeBron.

Thad is young and on a decent contract for the next 2 years. They basically would dump Nash and then go after Lowry, which I have seen them linked to in a few reports.

I still think the best option is to go after ZBO for a season, keep the pick, and attack the free agent class next summer or the one after. Dont really see why freeing up cap this summer helps them much at all unless they want to sign a few guys.

The lakers ego being what it is, if they want to reclaim LA I could easily see them go all in on Anthony/James, likely the only team that can unite the pair.

Young/Lowry isn't winning shit in the west. Not even with 2010 Kobe.

Suns could have stars from Slovenia, Ukraine, Brazil, Serbia, Canada to help extend his international brand.

PG: Bledsoe, Ennis
SG: Dragic, Goodwin
SF: James, Green
PF: Anthony, Warren
C: Plumlee, Len

I imagine Morrii/Green could be traded for a cheaper PF/C option that frees up CAP, and then relinquish Tucker's RFA rights to free up qualifying offer for CAP space.

Then still have 3 1sts for next year, plus Bird Rights to Dragic, and Bogdan possibly being added.

Right now is when I really wish we had Noel over Len.

I will just dream at the .000000001% chance of this possibly happening.

Is it wrong to think this is entirely a PR move? Sarver knows he has no chance, but it helps quell the rumors about him being cheap long enough to camouflage the fact that they actually don't really wind up improving via free agency. He remains in no actual danger of having to spend money.

Spaceman Spiff wrote:Is it wrong to think this is entirely a PR move? Sarver knows he has no chance, but it helps quell the rumors about him being cheap long enough to camouflage the fact that they actually don't really wind up improving via free agency. He remains in no actual danger of having to spend money.

And from what I've read, Sarver is the problem to begin with. His former actions and hard-line stances have rubbed players the wrong way, just as with fans. His reputation is NBA-wide. My guess is the Suns' ceiling will be limited to McDonough's trades and catching under-the-radar, rising talent for as long as Sarver continues to own, which I guess will be forever. He took over such a great franchise, market, and location, and he's really put a stamp on the whole thing with his ego.

Longhorned wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:Is it wrong to think this is entirely a PR move? Sarver knows he has no chance, but it helps quell the rumors about him being cheap long enough to camouflage the fact that they actually don't really wind up improving via free agency. He remains in no actual danger of having to spend money.

And from what I've read, Sarver is the problem to begin with. His former actions and hard-line stances have rubbed players the wrong way, just as with fans. His reputation is NBA-wide. My guess is the Suns' ceiling will be limited to McDonough's trades and catching under-the-radar, rising talent for as long as Sarver continues to own, which I guess will be forever. He took over such a great franchise, market, and location, and he's really put a stamp on the whole thing with his ego.

Yep, spot on. It's a damn shame.

pokinmik wrote:

Longhorned wrote:

Spaceman Spiff wrote:Is it wrong to think this is entirely a PR move? Sarver knows he has no chance, but it helps quell the rumors about him being cheap long enough to camouflage the fact that they actually don't really wind up improving via free agency. He remains in no actual danger of having to spend money.

And from what I've read, Sarver is the problem to begin with. His former actions and hard-line stances have rubbed players the wrong way, just as with fans. His reputation is NBA-wide. My guess is the Suns' ceiling will be limited to McDonough's trades and catching under-the-radar, rising talent for as long as Sarver continues to own, which I guess will be forever. He took over such a great franchise, market, and location, and he's really put a stamp on the whole thing with his ego.

Yep, spot on. It's a damn shame.

I guess I should add the very likely scenario that McDonough won't survive Sarver's ego for too many years in any case. He'll be a real steal for appreciative ownership elsewhere.

For what it's worth, Sarver has really seemed to become a more hands-off owner the last couple seasons. I actually haven't had much of a problem with most anything he's done - or not done - for a while. His media interviews, especially over the last 12 months, seem to show he has evolved a lot (admitting he screwed up and should have done things differently, not gotten involved as much, etc.), whether true or just lip service.

I'm very cautiously optimistic that he has finally learned his lessons...

Looks like Frye could be heading to Golden State.

James will take Phoenix's call!!!

Suns and Hawks after Gasol.

Kevin Zimmerman writes that the Suns are apparently serious about waiting out for James rather than aggressively pursuing other free agents, even if James signs a contract with Miami for 1-2 more years. Since James clearly won't sign with the Suns now or in two years, this really is a perfect cover for Sarver: no money spent in exchange for signing Lebron someday. It's all about building something! The future is exciting! Buy those season tickets now, because when Lebron signs, you won't be able to then.

Suns are increasingly a sexy darkhorse pick for LeBron.

It's the smart pick, too.

LeBron gets Bledsoe, Dragic, Morrii, Plumlee, Green, Goodwin, Len, Warren, Ennis, plus maybe Frye or Tucker, AND can select another MAX free agent as a sidekick.

Plus three 1sts next year.

Plus Bogdan.

Seriously.

It's the opportunity of a lifetime, save for location and Sarver. The location isn't sexy, but can be overcome. Let's see about the Sarver thing.

Too bad it's a weak FA class and no one in it should get a max.

JMarkJohns wrote:Suns are increasingly a sexy darkhorse pick for LeBron.

It's the smart pick, too.

LeBron gets Bledsoe, Dragic, Morrii, Plumlee, Green, Goodwin, Len, Warren, Ennis, plus maybe Frye or Tucker, AND can select another MAX free agent as a sidekick.

Plus three 1sts next year.

Plus Bogdan.

Seriously.

It's the opportunity of a lifetime, save for location and Sarver. The location isn't sexy, but can be overcome. Let's see about the Sarver thing.

Suns roster w/ LeBron and either Bosh or Melo is better than Heat w/ Lebron and Bosh.

I know I'm a Suns fan, but it kind of makes sense for LeBron.... right?

Melo is a cancer and Bosh is a rich mans Frye at this point.

Yeah, it's a more talented situation than Miami, though. The West is less attractive right now, though.

Players play their whole careers without having that much talents, that many picks, with the ability to earn that much as a max FA alongside the sidekick of your choosing for a fanbase starving for success and for a staff whose medical team makes all-stars out of retirees.

Homerism aside, it's truly one of the greatest opportunities I can ever recall.

JMarkJohns wrote:Players play their whole careers without having that much talents, that many picks, with the ability to earn that much as a max FA alongside the sidekick of your choosing for a fanbase starving for success and for a staff whose medical team makes all-stars out of retirees.

Homerism aside, it's truly one of the greatest opportunities I can ever recall.

So if it doesn't happen, why won't it?

Location
Ownership

Longhorned wrote:

JMarkJohns wrote:Players play their whole careers without having that much talents, that many picks, with the ability to earn that much as a max FA alongside the sidekick of your choosing for a fanbase starving for success and for a staff whose medical team makes all-stars out of retirees.

Homerism aside, it's truly one of the greatest opportunities I can ever recall.

So if it doesn't happen, why won't it?

LeBron would get ripped for jumping to another team. There's buzz he doesn't want that legacy of team hopping.

Sarver is a bottom feeder.

The West is a much tougher road right now.

The west is good, but aside from OKC and San Antonio, not great. Clippers may be next year, but Houston may lose Paraons and not add a big name, and unless Warriors get Love, they are only ok.

OKC might be a year from breaking up, San Antonio as well. Clippers are in quasi limbo until new ownership takes hold.

Yes, it's tough, but it's not going to remain that way.

Shaq played for 6 teams.
Ewing for 3, Barkley for 3, Iverson 4.

But I get the point you make, however, helping Cleveland or Phoenix win their 1st title rather than going to a franchise a few years removed from winning a Title to buddy up with Finals MVP is different, and would help to repair his reputation as someone afraid of a challenge, especially coming to the West.

If you ask me, he got a bum rap for leaving Cleveland in the first place. I agree leaving Miami isn't necessarily taking the easy way out factually, but I think it would be perceived like that.

LeBron gets a lot of undeserved hate IMO. Kobe begged to leave the Lakers and tried to force a trade. There was the whole rape thing too. Yet LeBron takes less money to play in a more desirable city with friends when he's a free agent and can do whatever he wants...yet somehow he becomes the Great Satan.

To actually prolong the process makes me think he's seriously considering leaving. If the deal was done to return, prolonging things only hurts Miami with other free agents.

JMarkJohns wrote:Location
Ownership

You mean market size? Pretty big market. Location hasn't been a problem since the mid-1980's. In fact, it's been an advantage.

Phoenix isn't a sexy market for top-tier FAs.

Last big fish they chased was Kobe in 2004, who promptly said no chance.

JMarkJohns wrote:Phoenix isn't a sexy market for top-tier FAs.

Last big fish they chased was Kobe in 2004, who promptly said no chance.

Seriously, Kobe is just one big fish. Phoenix isn't the problem. Players love playing there, living there. They get too old to play and keep living there. Phoenix isn't the problem. Sorry to beat a dead horse. I have an issue, obviously. I need to attend support group meetings.

Good signing

Post LeBron, Ken Berger reporting stars aligning for Deng to the Suns.

Said this should have happened at the deadline. Would be a good move, solid signing.

Deng is pretty meh. Why waste cap on this shit class?