Official: Unsubstantiated Trade Suggestions, Speculation, And Rumors

I caught myself thinking about Hibbert again today; if there are any ways we could grab him from Indiana...also, Wilson Chandler is having a nice year; he'd fit in well. Those two guys have 2 more years with a Team Option for Wilson's next year and Roy has a PO on his...two areas of need that would be nice to upgrade.

 

Any change of acquiring Dragic? Maybe for 15 million...he's having another stellar season so far.

 

Greg Monroe is available pistons are asking for a Draft pick. And Lance Stephenson is available for cap space and a shooter, Nick young?

 

Eric Bledsoe was the last elite free agent to get a contract last summer, re-signing with the Phoenix Suns on Sept. 24 after a protracted and contentious negotiation.

Three months later, as the NBA commences its unofficial trade season, Eric Bledsoe might be the first elite player to be dangled on the market.

"I think they signed him with the [thought] that they can move him and get something for him," a rival team executive said last week.

We now pause for an emphatic disclaimer: This is not a trade rumor. There is no indication, as of yet, that the Suns have made Bledsoe available. There are no known offers on the table. Bledsoe might well spend the rest of his career in the Valley of the Suns.

The above quote should be placed in the category of informed speculation. It is the firm belief of one well-connected team executive, nothing more.

Caveats aside, there is every reason to believe the Suns will trade Bledsoe, or one of their other flashy point guards, in the next few months. It's the logical move, competitively and financially. So as we assess the buyers, sellers and names that will define the NBA trade season, we begin in Phoenix.

Under NBA rules, Dec. 15 is the first day that players who signed new contracts over the summer can be traded. With just about every player now eligible to be dealt, the trade season has begun. Teams have until Feb. 19 to make deals.

The Suns (12-13) are in free fall, having lost five straight games—including a rout by Oklahoma City on Sunday—leaving them with a tenuous hold on eighth place in the West. The Thunder (11-13), healthy at last, are coming for that final playoff spot, and will likely get it.

Phoenix, point guard rich but frontcourt poor, is overdue for a roster shakeup.

Three of the Suns' top four scorers are point guards: Goran Dragic (16.1 points per game), Isaiah Thomas (14.6) and Bledsoe (15.6). Meanwhile, the Suns badly need a big man who can score in the low post, rebound and protect the rim.

The Suns also have salary-cap concerns and Dragic's impending free agency to consider.

Phoenix has committed $70 million over five years to Bledsoe and $27 million over four years to Thomas. Bledsoe and Thomas will earn a combined $20.5 million next season. Dragic, an All-NBA third-team selection, could command $15 million a year or more on the open market in July.

Would the Suns pay three point guards a combined $35 million, more than half of the projected cap? Would they let Dragic walk away for nothing?

The answer to both questions is "probably not," which is why team executives across the league expect the Suns to trade one of the three. Some interviewed for this story said Thomas was the most likely candidate.

"I do think that they're going to look at it, [but] only if it makes them better," said another Western Conference executive.

Of the three, Bledsoe would surely fetch the best package. Thomas is undersized and lacking as a playmaker. Dragic's free agency could scare off potential suitors, or at least diminish their trade offers. But Bledsoe is young (25), under contract and has All-Star potential—making him the Suns' most valuable trade asset.

Also worth noting: Although the Dragic-Bledsoe backcourt has been effective, Dragic thrived as the sole point guard while Bledsoe was recovering from injury last season. But with three point guards now splitting time, Dragic has seen his production and his efficiency fall.

The Suns could start Gerald Green at shooting guard in Bledsoe's place and go with a more traditional lineup—presumably one bolstered by a new starting big man.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...poised-to-move-as-nbas-trade-season-kicks-off

Eric Bledsoe $13,000,000 $13,500,000 $14,000,000 $14,500,000 $15,000,000 -

See more at: http://hoopshype.com/salaries/phoenix.htm#sthash.Ee7QnIyV.dpuf

Just throwing it out there...Phoenix would probably want Hill, a prospect and a 1st. So, if we do lose our pick to them, they'll have 2 picks going into June, Hill on a Team Option for 9 million, and maybe a throw-in of some sort to make contracts match. Scouting report below...

 

LOLOL. Love the response.

 

Rondo has also been criticized for his behavior towards teammates too. So neither player really wins the boy scout competition.

Rondo is the superior player, however, if Rondo is going to cost us more than $15 million, then Stephenson and his lower pricetag and younger legs deserves some consideration.

 

Im on a record saying i don't want Lance anywhere near the lakers but even if i somewhat liked him... HELL TO THE NO. Nick is playing great for us, plus you don't do that to Nick Young. Dude took a paycut to play for us (his beloved team), he's a great teammate... he's Swaggy P for the love of God . So NOOOOOOOOO

 

man, that's depressing. realistic, but depressing.

of course, the FO's going to end up re-stocking the roster with one-year deals again, anyway, which induces an even lower level of depression. *sigh*

 

Agree completely on Biyombo. Hopefully they keep him in a limited role so he ends up being available on the cheap. Given the minutes I think he's right up there with the best rim protectors & rebounders in the league.

 

Can't believe anyone would suggest we give up Nick Young for Stephenson. Nick is looking like 1 of the best values in the league on that contract we locked him in to. Meanwhile after Lance had to wait until almost all of the other good free agents were gone to get a contract because teams are scared of his issues, the team that gave him a contract already wants to get rid of him. & the main team they've been in contact with, his former team that knows him better than anyone wants a 1st round pick to take him back for cap space. I wouldn't be completely against going after Lance but I wouldn't give anything of value up for him. Nash's expiring contract & maybe a 2nd rounder. I wouldn't give up Young, Hill, Lin, or Hou's 1st rounder for him.

 

Hibbert and Rondo next season. Can it be done?

 

I don't know about Hibbert; it depends on what Indiana wants to do and how much they want for him...I don't know if we have enough assets they'll want for Hibbert. As for Rondo, I think he'll be moved before the trade deadline. If he's moved to another team the Mavs or the Rockets, it's already reported that he's 'open; to resigning with them which takes one more FA off our target list for 2015.

Ken Berger @KBergCBS · 3h 3 hours ago
Source: With C Bags engaged in trade talks, Rajon Rondo is 'open' to re-signing in Dallas or Houston. http://cbsprt.co/1zzGZWd