Rumor: Suns want 1st rd pick for Dragic

[PickNRoll]

Bradley is 24.  He's on a reasonable contract that should only look better as time goes on.  He's improved constantly since entering the league, and he's been a role model for hard work and effort.  Also a better defender than Dragic.

That said, Dragic is a more impactful player right now.  Crafty scorer and excellent finisher. Not a great facilitator. But he's an explosive athlete who's entering those years when the athleticism starts to go.  Jameer Nelson is 33, for example, and he's got nothing left.  29-33 is a steep downward curve for athletic back court players.  Not many guys are able to reinvent themselves.  We should tread carefully with Goran.

[Vermont Green]

Dragic seems like a fine player but it doesn't seem like the right time for the Celtics to get him.  He would be a rental likely as he will likely decline his player option and become an UFA.  Can't believe he would want to sign with the Celtics as part of rebuild and if he would, why not just sign him after the season and not give up any assets?

[Fafnir]

Dragic is a good player, but I don't like the idea of trading for a guy who's likely to leave in FA given the number of teams with cap space coming up and the increasing cap number overall.

[SHAQATTACK]

Dragic is a good player, but I don't like the idea of trading for a guy who's likely to leave in FA given the number of teams with cap space coming up and the increasing cap number overall.

Yup........I see Lakers will go for him definitely .   If .....they can't get Rondo

[PhoSita]

Dragic is a good player, but I don't like the idea of trading for a guy who's likely to leave in FA given the number of teams with cap space coming up and the increasing cap number overall.

Right.  What do the Celtics gain by trading for him now?  He helps them make the playoffs, perhaps, and then the time spent with the team gives them a much better shot at re-signing him?

I doubt that's really worth giving up a first rounder, but maybe.  Admittedly, I'm a huge fan of Goran Dragic.  He's one of my favorite players.

[Rondo9]

I'd say take the risk. It doesn't seem that the Celtics pick going to be deep in the lottery this year.

[ssspence]

Pass.

[PAOBoston]

I really like Dragic as a player and I think he would be a great fit on this team. I just don't see the Celtics giving up assets for someone who is entering free agency in the summer. If the C's want him that bad, they can try and sign him in the offseason.

[byennie]

Two birds with one stone? We'd have to feel really good about resigning Dragic:

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=mn7blbn

Smart + Olynyk + Thornton + picks for Boogie
1st rounder + TPE for Dragic

[CsBanner18]

My offer would be:

Avery Bradley

   & either

2 second round picks OR the Minnesota pick (from the Wright trade).

The Suns could start Thomas or Bledsoe at PG, and start Bledsoe or Bradley at SG. They would still have Tyler Ennis & Zoran Dragic to play backup point if they opted to start Thomas & Bledsoe.

3 Reasons the trade should get done:

1) The trade would improve the Suns defense.

2) Dragic is going to be an UFA, hence why the Suns don't deserve a guaranteed first for a player that isn't guaranteed to stay.

3) Both players have about the same salary. Dragic's salary would basically replace Bradley's. Dragic would command a few extra million in free agency which won't be a problem for the C's.

[chambers]

My offer would be:

Avery Bradley

   & either

2 second round picks OR the Minnesota pick (from the Wright trade).

The Suns could start Thomas or Bledsoe at PG, and start Bledsoe or Bradley at SG. They would still have Tyler Ennis & Zoran Dragic to play backup point if they opted to start Thomas & Bledsoe.

3 Reasons the trade should get done:

1) The trade would improve the Suns defense.

2) Dragic is going to be an UFA, hence why the Suns don't deserve a guaranteed first for a player that isn't guaranteed to stay.

3) Both players have about the same salary. Dragic's salary would basically replace Bradley's. Dragic would command a few extra million in free agency which won't be a problem for the C's.

I think Dragic is looking at about twice what Avery Bradley makes, so it's a significant cap hit of 15 million+
Personally I'd rather Bledsoe-he's the better player.
Dragic is nice and would do well out here in the East but he's not turning into Steph Curry any time soon.
16 points, 4 assists and 3.6 rebounds per 33.4 minutes a game? I'd rather let Smart and Young see if they can beat those numbers within 2-3 years considering he'd be playing with Smart as a combo guard tandem.

He's almost 29 years old and he's a free agent in the offseason.
No thanks.

[Moranis]

If we are talking about something like Bass and the Clippers pick, I don't see why you wouldn't do it, even if Dragic leaves it still seems like it is worth the risk (and you would still hold his rights so you could sign and trade as a possibility).

[dreamgreen]

I really like Dragic and 2 months ago I would have pushed for him. But now I'd rather gut it out with the young guys, prefer to see Smart, Young (and yes AB) get major minutes and continue to grow.

Dragic is 29? if he was 26 I'd be all in for trading for him.

[PickNRoll]

My offer would be:

Avery Bradley

   & either

2 second round picks OR the Minnesota pick (from the Wright trade).

The Suns could start Thomas or Bledsoe at PG, and start Bledsoe or Bradley at SG. They would still have Tyler Ennis & Zoran Dragic to play backup point if they opted to start Thomas & Bledsoe.

3 Reasons the trade should get done:

1) The trade would improve the Suns defense.

2) Dragic is going to be an UFA, hence why the Suns don't deserve a guaranteed first for a player that isn't guaranteed to stay.

3) Both players have about the same salary. Dragic's salary would basically replace Bradley's. Dragic would command a few extra million in free agency which won't be a problem for the C's.

I think Dragic is looking at about twice what Avery Bradley makes, so it's a significant cap hit of 15 million+
Personally I'd rather Bledsoe-he's the better player.
Dragic is nice and would do well out here in the East but he's not turning into Steph Curry any time soon.
16 points, 4 assists and 3.6 rebounds per 33.4 minutes a game? I'd rather let Smart and Young see if they can beat those numbers within 2-3 years considering he'd be playing with Smart as a combo guard tandem.

He's almost 29 years old and he's a free agent in the offseason.
No thanks.

I don't think Dragic pulls 15M.  Hayward got 14.  Isaiah Thomas got 7.  I know the cap is going up, but 15 sounds like an overpay.  The entire Hawks roster would make you choke at the thought of 15 for Dragic.  A guy like Draymond Green will probably get that much.

[jpotter33]

If we are talking about something like Bass and the Clippers pick, I don't see why you wouldn't do it, even if Dragic leaves it still seems like it is worth the risk (and you would still hold his rights so you could sign and trade as a possibility).

Yeah, Bass and the Clips pick for Dragic would be a steal, and I'd do it in a New York minute. Bass might even help their second unit for a playoff push.