How much do you think he likes his PG minutes are split among three solid PGs in potentially a contract year?
The NBA's salary cap is not carved in stone -- teams are allowed to exceed the payroll maximums for a variety of reasons. One of the exceptions to the cap was created to allow teams to re-sign their own players. The Boston Celtics were the first team to employ the exception, exceeding the cap to re-sign Larry Bird. Since then, it has been known as the "Bird Exception." Can someone explain this to me lol. Sorry, I'm a little slow.
1.)Yes I agree that a quality back up in important, especially with Bledsoe's injury history. However, they also drafted Ennis and plan on playing Bledsoe and Dragic heavy minutes. That leaves few minutes for Thomas and Ennis... doesn't make sense long term... just like Howard and Asik. 2.)The Rockets are in a different situation. They are almost a finished product, and getting Dragic would be their last major signing. Also, the Rockets are willing to go over the cap and tax, and the Suns with their ownership group has historically not been willing to. I am not saying that Dragic is going to Houston... for all I know they could move Bledsoe or Ennis.... but I do know that long term they are not keeping Dragic/Bledsoe/Thomas/Ennis because they have too many other needs to fill and players that will need to be resigned in the next couple seasons. The Suns also know there is a really good chance that the Rockets and other teams will offer him the max, or close to it if he hits free agency.
once phoenix let channing frye go over a cpl million, they were chucking the season. He was for example, way more important to them than Chandler was to us.
At the end of the day, we lose Lin, Asik, Parsons, 1sts and wind up with Ariza + Dragic (NOH pick traded away for Dragic) - then... still, meh. I'm not buying Dragic as the foundational 3rd piece. That team wouldn't even come close to the one with Parsons/Bosh on it. It could contend I suppose. If we plug the right guys in around everyone. I might be too low on Dragic, yet I realize he's a stud. PG is just so deep.
Not buying it? At times he was the best point guard in the league last year. And I am talking for a few months there. He will make things much easier for Harden and Howard. The upgrade at 3, (it was an upgrade for this team) will play huge dividends in the playoffs.
Obviously it wouldn't compete with Bosh/Parsons, but that team never existed. You can only make due with the hand you're dealt, and I'd say coming away with Ariza and Dragic while losing Parsons (at $15m/year), Lin (pfft), and Asik (who didn't even want to be here) is an overall positive. Ariza and Dragic are both superior defenders, and Dragic's game would KILL IT here with Howard anchoring the middle. Think about how much better our 3-pt shooting would get by adding these two to the starting rotation. I'm getting excited just thinking about it.
This team needs to improve its defensive prowess. The Rockets lost to the Blazers(not because of Lillard/Aldridge), but because of Mathews and Batum running free on the perimeter. I will swear to it, that Parsons is on level with Harden on the perimeter. Chandler wanted his money, and you don't earn it in the nba just playing defense.
What I want to know is who does Minnesota think is the better deal? Goran Dragic plus the Pelies pick (plus Trevor Ariza after Dec. 15th) or Klay Thompson and David Lee or Andrew Wiggins and Tristan Thompson, etc.?
Parsons isn't nearly as bad as Harden. He isn't good enough to always cover for Harden's ass, either. Ariza will help in that regard, but the team really just needs Harden to get MUCH better on that end. That or trade him. It's hard to have a top defense when one of your stars doesn't even try.
Why is everyone talking about getting one of the Suns PGs? Did someone say something that would suggest its possible?
Now it's Saturday. That is until Saturday comes around and we don't hear anything or nothing happens...again.
