Extension Candidate: Eric Bledsoe
As a member of the Clippers, Eric Bledsoe appeared to be one of this year's extension-eligible players least likely to sign a new long-term contract. After all, the club had arguably the league's best point guard ahead of him, and Chris Paul had been locked up to a long-term deal of his own. Throw in big multiyear contracts for Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and others, and there simply wasn't going to be enough flexibility for the Clips to pay to keep Bledsoe around.
As such, it was no surprise when the Clippers agreed to trade Bledsoe to acquire help on the wing, though the point guard's destination was a bit of a surprise. Despite already having Goran Dragic on a long-term contract and having drafted Kendall Marshall last summer, the Suns nabbed Bledsoe in a three-way swap with the Clips and Bucks.
It doesn't seem as if new GM Ryan McDonough values Marshall quite as highly as the old regime did, considering Marshall's name popped up in trade rumors last month. That doesn't mean the Suns will just give up on him, but it opens up the door for Bledsoe to be a bigger part of the club's long-term plan. Even with Dragic running the point in Phoenix, McDonough and the Suns have indicated that they expect to see Dragic and Bledsoe playing at the same time frequently next season.
If the Suns do plan for Bledsoe to be a primary piece of the team's core, this offseason may be the best time to negotiate a new deal for him. The team will have until October 31st to finalize an extension for Bledsoe, with the 23-year-old primed to hit restricted free agency in 2014 if no agreement can be reached.
While Bledsoe's potential upside is acknowledged by everyone around the NBA, he hasn't accumulated as many minutes and statistics as most typical extension candidates. Because he played behind Paul in Los Angeles for the last two seasons, Bledsoe's career numbers aren't flashy: In 197 career contests, he has averaged 6.7 PPG and 3.0 APG to go along with a 13.6 PER and shooting percentages of .431/.308/.749. By comparison, here are the numbers a few other recently-extended point guards compiled in their first three seasons:
Bledsoe has only averaged 19.6 minutes per game in his first three years, so it's probaby unfair to compare him to guys who earned more playing time when it comes to counting stats like points and assists. Bledsoe was also significantly more effective in his third season than in his first two. Still, even in part-time action, often playing against an opponent's second-stringers, Bledsoe's career PER and shooting percentages don't stack up to the averages posted by Mike Conley, Jrue Holiday, and Ty Lawson.
Conley, Holiday, and Lawson all received four- or five-year extensions that paid them between $8-12MM annually, with Conley signing his deal in 2010, while the others were inked last summer. Given the discrepancy between their numbers and Bledsoe's, it seems reasonable to assume Bledsoe hasn't shown enough yet to be considered a player who should earn $8MM+ annually. That means that if the Suns and Bledsoe were to discuss a four-year deal, the team could propose something in the neighborhood of $26-28MM, or nearly $7MM per year.
That sort of offer would likely be enough to give Bledsoe pause. After all, it's not far off from Dragic's four-year, $30MM pact, and Dragic was coming off a very impressive 2011/12 season (26.5 MPG, 18.0 PER) when he inked his deal. Despite a solid '12/13, Bledsoe doesn't have the same track record, so securing that kind of long-term commitment based primarily on his potential could be appealing.
On the other hand, Bledsoe figures to play a larger role and more minutes in his first season in Phoenix. He's still only 23 years old, which means he has plenty of room to continue to improve, in addition to seeing his numbers increase simply due to a boost in playing time. A breakout 2013/14 season would position him well for a bigger free agent contract next summer, when he's able to negotiate with teams besides the Suns. In that case, agreeing to an extension now could mean leaving several million dollars on the table.
Given how little we've seen from Bledsoe as a first-stringer, it's hard to predict whether or not the team and/or player will aggressively pursue an extension this offseason. It should ultimately come down to whether the Suns and Bledsoe can reach an agreement that balances the risk and reward on both sides. It wouldn't surprise me to see Bledsoe sign a deal in the ballpark of the one Dragic received from the Suns, but the Kentucky product could just as easily decide to roll the dice and take his chances in free agency next summer.
Suns Notes: Beasley, McDonough, Hornacek
The Suns are still working on the rebuilding process and GM Ryan McDonough knows that Phoenix will need a star player to take them all the way. The club's stockpile of first round picks, he explained in a radio interview recently, can help make that happen.
"When teams have maybe a disgruntled superstar, what are they looking for in return? Well, they're looking for picks, that's what they want. None of those guys are available right now, but as you know, some of the time you don't always see that coming. You look at the Deron Williams situation or something like that, and these things just kind of happen out of the blue. I think we're well-positioned to strike if and when the next disgruntled superstar becomes available," said the GM
Here's more out of Phoenix…
- Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic (via Twitter) points out that the Suns have an option to waive and stretch the contract of troubled forward Michael Beasley. In that event, the Suns would pay Beasley $9MM over five years rather than two, allowing them to stretch out the cap hit.
- Meanwhile, it's unlikely that the Suns will be able to terminate Beasley's deal thanks to his arrest as it falls under the CBA (Twitter links).
- After a disappointing year in Phoenix that brought sweeping changes, McDonough says that he just hopes to see the team play hard and cohesively as a unit, writes Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. The 2013/14 season under new coach Jeff Hornacek will be measured more on that than wins and losses, according to the GM.
- Dan Bickley of AZCentral.com asks if Beasley could be the most pathetic player in franchise history. In Bickley's opinion, the Suns can't afford to have him anywhere near this club during their transitional phase.
Pacific Notes: Pau, Rambis, Suns
Kurt Rambis, the recently hired assistant to Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni, sat down with the Sporting News' Sean Deveney to talk about meshing with the new Lakers' staff despite many who consider him a part of the old guard under former head coach Phil Jackson.
The differences stem from Jackson's slowed down Triangle offense, which Rambis used when he coached the Lakers and the Timberwolves, but which contrasts with D'Antoni's run and gun offensive style. Rambis tells Deveney the connection between him and Triangle is far from absolute, and he was probably overreacting when he said he was "shocked" at the assistant coaching offer.
Back in November Rambis had spoken out about the Lakers while doing analysis at ESPN, and the comments led to D'Antoni crossing him off his list for potential assistant coaching hires. But by mid-July, D'Antoni was already warming to the idea of bringing the former Lakers player and coach back to the bench.
Here's what else is happening around the Pacific Division, including more on the Lakers…
- Pau Gasol will have a lot more opportunities with the ball in the low-block for the Lakers this coming season now that Dwight Howard has headed to the Rockets, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com. Steve Nash seconded the notion that the offense ran more smoothly when it was just he and Pau while Dwight missed time with an aggravated shoulder last year.
- According to Eurobasket2013.org, Suns center Marcin Gortat has received permission from the Polish National Team to fly back to the United States to have his foot examined (hat tip: CBSSports.com's Zach Harper).
- According a source, Shams Charania of RealGM.com reports that Dwayne Davis–the Warriors' summer league guard–elected to sign a one-year deal with Murcia of the Spainish ACB rather than accept various training camp offers he'd received from NBA teams. His deal with Murcia does not have an opt out clause, so he'll try to make an NBA roster again next summer.
Odds & Ends: Bledsoe, Jennings, Janning, Collins
LeBron James is the odds-on favorite to win this year's MVP trophy (again) but who is in the hunt for the MIP award? Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld ran down this year's candidates for Most Improved Player, starting with newly-acquired Suns guard Eric Bledsoe. Even if he doesn't start at the beginning of the season, Brigham expects him to carve out a significant role for himself by the end of the 2013/14 campaign. Here's more from around the Association..
- Even though this season might not be a landmark one for the Bucks, they're finally on the right path after purging themselves of Brandon Jennings' ego, opines Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
- Former D-Leaguer Matt Janning has an NBA out clause in his new contract with Croatia's Cibona Zagreb, according to Sportando. The guard signed a multi-year deal with the Suns in 2010 after going undrafted but wound up getting cut in November before he ever appeared in a game.
- In his weekend mailbag, Doug Smith of the Toronto Star writes that he expects to see Jason Collins land a deal before the start of the season.
Suns Draftee Alex Oriakhi Signs In France
Suns second round pick Alex Oriakhi has signed with France's CSP Limoges, according to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. Phoenix drafted the center with the 57th overall pick in the 2013 Draft.
Oriakhi began his collegiate career at UConn where he served as the starting center for the Huskies' 2010/11 championship team. Then, after a year in which he saw a diminished role with the addition of Andre Drummond and the Huskies were banned from postseason play for 2013, he transferred to Missouri. The big man averaged 11.2 PPG, 8.4 RPG, and 1.6 BPG in his final year on campus.
Odds & Ends: Harrington, Ebanks, Mo Williams
Al Harrington recognizes that he's a candidate to be traded or bought out by the Magic, but tells Sam Amick of USA Today that he's healthier and believes he can still contribute, wherever he lands.
"Whatever situation I can get to where I can help a team win, that's what I want to do," Harrington said. "I don't want to play 36 minutes or none of that. Play 20, 25 minutes, just help mentor the young guys and stuff like that."
Here's more from around the NBA:
- Former Laker Devin Ebanks has received interest from the Hawks, Bucks, Bobcats, and Nuggets, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.
- In his latest column on the Suns, Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic says that agent Arn Tellem was "five minutes away" from a deal for J.J. Redick with another team before the Suns and Clippers proposed the three-team trade that sent him to Los Angeles. Coro also notes that the Pacers had expressed interest in Luis Scola for months before acquiring him.
- Grizzlies CEO Jason Levien met with Mo Williams today in Memphis, tweets Geoff Calkins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
- Within an excellent piece on the Thunder, Grantland's Zach Lowe shares a few interesting details on Kevin Durant's max contract and Oklahoma City's cap and tax situation.
Suns GM Discusses Trades, Plumlee, Green
Suns GM Ryan McDonough recently appeared on KTAR 620 AM in Phoenix to discuss his team's offseason moves, including last weekend's trade that sent Luis Scola to the Pacers (hat tip to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld). Speaking to Dave Burns and John Gambadoro, McDonough provided a few interesting quotes relating to the Scola deal and the possibility of further trades down the road. Here are some highlights:
On one way the team could take advantage of its stash of future first-round picks:
"When teams have maybe a disgruntled superstar, what are they looking for in return? Well, they're looking for picks, that's what they want. None of those guys are available right now, but as you know, some of the time you don't always see that coming. You look at the Deron Williams situation or something like that, and these things just kind of happen out of the blue. I think we're well-positioned to strike if and when the next disgruntled superstar becomes available."
On whether the Suns have made or received trade calls for Kendall Marshall:
"I'm not going to go into that with specific guys on the roster. I guess generally… I've talked about all of them. All of the guys on the roster have been discussed. I think we as a franchise, you have to consider offers for all of them. Obviously there are varying interest levels and the guys are at varying ages with different contracts, but we have to consider all opportunities. Now that being said, we're really happy with our salary cap position going forward, we're very happy with our draft pick position, and we think we also upgraded the talent on the roster."
On whether Miles Plumlee and Gerald Green are expected to contribute to the Suns in 2013/14:
"I think we'll be able to get something out of both of them. I was down in Orlando Summer League at the beginning of the month, and Miles Plumlee, playing for the Pacers' Summer League team, looked very good for the second year in a row. He's a good rebounder, he's always been a very good rebounder per minute, even going back to his days at Duke…. I like Miles. His character, rebounding, and athleticism, I think will fit right in here."
On Green:
"We drafted him with the Celtics in the summer of 2005…. Gerald has always had the athleticism and the scoring ability and the talent. He just needed to mature, which he has. I think going to Russia was a humbling experience for him, and then coming back the hard way in the D-League…. I think both [Plumlee and Green] will play significant roles for us next year."
Odds & Ends: Scola, Celtics, Heat, Suns
While Jason Kidd shocked everyone by becoming the head coach of the Nets just weeks after retiring, his co-Rookie of the Year in 1994/95 is going to go down a more conventional path. Grant Hill told Johnny Esfeller of IMG Academy that he is looking into a career in broadcasting and speaking with some of the major networks out there. The charasmatic and thoughtful Hill should make for a natural on TV, whether he's on color commentary or a studio analyst. Here's tonight's look around the Association..
- The Pacers' acquisition of Luis Scola makes them an even bigger threat to the Heat, opines Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld. Pacers GM Kevin Pritchard noted that Scola isn't just a strong basketball addition, but he should also be a great fit for Indiana's locker room.
- If Rajon Rondo is not ready to go at the beginning of the 2013/14 season, it's possible that the Celtics could slide undrafted rookie Phil Pressey into the starting role as he's the only other point guard on the roster, writes Marc D'Amico of Celtics.com. However, Boston also has two other players on its roster in Avery Bradley and Courtney Lee who can handle the one-guard duties in short order and there's even a chance that Rondo will be in action for opening night.
- The Heat know that the rest of the Eastern conference is quickly catching up them, writes Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.
- The additions of Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee fit the Suns' offseason goal of increasing athleticism across the roster, writes Matt Petersen of Suns.com.
Odds & Ends: Oden, Heat, McGrady, Scola
All eyes are on Greg Oden at this stage of the offseason and David Aldridge of NBA.com (via Twitter) hears that the big man will make his decision either Wednesday or Thursday. The former No. 1 overall pick will choose between the Mavericks, Pelicans, Spurs, Kings, Heat, and Hawks as he looks to mount another comeback. Here's tonight's look around the Associatiion..
- A source tells Marc J. Spears of Yahoo (via Twitter) that Oden is most intrigued by the Pelicans and Heat.
- While in China fulfulling committments with sponsors, veteran Tracy McGrady said that he is open to returning to the CBA next season, according to a report from China.org.cn.
- Luis Scola's nearly $4.9MM salary for 2014/15 will be partially guaranteed for $940K, rather than non-guaranteed, because he appeared in all 82 games for the Suns this past season, reports Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
- In the same piece, Coro passes along Suns GM Ryan McDonough's optimism that Channing Frye will be ready to play in time for the season. Frye missed all of 2012/13 with an enlarged heart.
- Gal Mekel told Kevin Arnovitz of True Hoop TV that he isn't concerned about making the transition from playing in Israel to suiting up for the Mavericks.
- Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer delves into Sixers GM Sam Hinkie's philosophy of acquiring undervalued players with upside.
Chuck Myron contributed to this post.
Western Notes: Beasley, Grizzlies, Harden
Michael Beasley is entering the final fully guaranteed year of his contract, and he's in danger of seeing his NBA career come to an early end, as Jeff Caplan of NBA.com examines.
Caplan spoke with 33-year-old Suns GM Ryan McDonough about the their rebuilding efforts designed to add hardworking athletes who can run their up-tempo offense, led by their newest addition in the back-court, Eric Bledsoe.
But when asked if the 24-year-old Beasley–who averaged career lows across-the-board last season in Phoenix–would be a part of the Suns' rebuilding efforts, McDonough's message was loud and clear for the maladroit former No. 2 overall pick:
"I guess what I’ll say generally about that is we’re going to treat everybody the same,” McDonough explained.
“There won’t be any special treatment for anybody on the roster and as Jeff [Hornacek] and I told all the guys coming in, we don’t care how much money you’re making, where you were drafted, how long you’ve been in the league, what, if anything, you’ve been promised in the past. We’re going into this as an open competition, and when training camp comes, guys who buy in and play the right way and play hard will play, and those who don’t, won’t.”
Beasley signed a three-year $18MM contract with the Suns in July of 2012, but the 2014-15 season is only guaranteed for $3MM. According to Mark Deeks at ShamSports.com, the final year becomes fully guaranteed for $6.25MM if the Suns don't waive him on, or before, 5 p.m. Mountain Time on the second day after the team's final gaeme of the 2013-14 season, including playoffs, or June 15th.
Here's what else is happening around the Western Conference on Saturday night…
- Mike Krzyzewski's decision to remain as coach of Team USA has swayed Clippers point guard Chris Paul, who tells Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com that he's leaning toward playing in the 2016 Olympics.
- Mike Miller is set to sign his deal with the Grizzlies on Tuesday, reports Ron Higgins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
- James Harden reflects on the growing spotlight with his Rockets team while he’s in the Philippines, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
- Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News on the battle for Los Angeles when Dwight Howard returns to LA with the Rockets to go against some of his former Lakers teammates on November 7th next season.