RE: Eric Bledsoe - an open letter to Rich Paul his agent

This topic contains 32 replies, has 13 voices, and was last updated by IndianaBasketball 11 years, 12 months ago.

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Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 6:00pm #57428

christebas
Participant
Hello Mr. Paul,

While I think you’re a very talented sports agent and world-wide marketer, turning down 48 million dollars for Eric Bledsoe seems overly ambitious and doing a disservice to your client. Not only is Mr. Bleldsoe coming off a major injury in his "break-out" year when he only played 43 games, he was paired with another great scoring back-court mate in Goran Dragic, who clearly helped Eric Bledsoe put up the kind of numbers he did for half a season.

By rejecting 4 years and 48 Million dollars from the Phoenix Suns, you’re essentially saying that Mr Bledsoe is a better and more valuable point guard than such veterans as Kyle Lowry who just signed for the same sum of money the Suns offered Mr. Bledsoe and had an all around better season with the Raptors than did Mr Bledsoe with the Suns.

In addition, other NBA point guards such as Tony Parker, Steph Curry, Jeff Teague, Mike Conely and Ty Lawson are all proven to be much more consistent point guards with better stats and leadership qualities (in some cases) than your client and make close to or less than the 12 million per year Phoenix offered your client.

If you’re so confident in Mr. Bledsoe’s "upside," why not sign a 2 year deal with a player option for a 3rd so to take advantage of the new TV deal in the same way you structured Lebron James’ contract?.

As a long time NBA fan who’s familiar with the workings of the salary cap, it seems you’re pricing your client well out of the market by demanding a max deal. Just because Chandler Parsons and Gordon Hayward received max offers as restricted free agents doesn’t necessarily mean the oft injuried Eric Bledsoe is entitled to the same type of salary.

Both Hayward and Parsons are clearly over-paid, however, there was a great supply of salary cap dollars to be spent this summer which is what inflated their value. However, as the cap space has dried up, so has the money team’s are willing to offer players. What team could possibly offer Mr Bledsoe a max deal? The only 2 teams could be Dallas or Houston (in a sign and trade which the Suns have refused), and both who I highly doubt would go above 12 million mark for a player like Bledsoe.

Eric Bledsoe is an exciting young point guard (when healthy) with a great deal of upside, however, the point guards who are getting max money such as Kyrie Irving, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Derrick Rose, Russel Westbrook have proven to be much better over-all players for a more consistent amount of time than Mr. Bledsoe. If I were Eric Bledsoe’s agent I would quickly take the 48 million in guaranteed money over 4 years. Where else could 48 million dollars come from now that all the big free agents have settled their contracts, including all the second and most of the third tier players?

Mr. Paul, I just want you to know I decided to write this letter not as a Suns fan, but as an NBA fan who believes I have a decent sense of the market. I know there’s a great deal of pressure on you to get a max deal for Eric Bledsoe as he’s your first contract you’ve negotiated outside of Lebron James. Either way, I really hope things work out in your favor. I just wanted to share some of my ‘amateur NBA’ thoughts with you.

Kind regards, An NBA fan….

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Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 6:02pm #937499

rickyfutureagent
Participant
News flash! You have no idea what you’re talking about!
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Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 6:02pm #937369

rickyfutureagent
Participant
News flash! You have no idea what you’re talking about!
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Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 6:12pm #937505

caray12
Participant
Of course you want Eric Bledsoe to take less money than in the open market. You mentioned a guy like Kyle Lowry as a guy that has more value than Eric Bledsoe. But you fail to realize that Kyle Lowry is 28 and Eric Bledsoe is 24 years of age. You don’t pay for past accomplishments you pay for what there going to be in the future. Yeah Steph Curry is underpaid but your wroth is whatever the team offer you.
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Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 6:12pm #937507

caray12
Participant
Of course you want Eric Bledsoe to take less money than in the open market. You mentioned a guy like Kyle Lowry as a guy that has more value than Eric Bledsoe. But you fail to realize that Kyle Lowry is 28 and Eric Bledsoe is 24 years of age. You don’t pay for past accomplishments you pay for what there going to be in the future. Yeah Steph Curry is underpaid but your wroth is whatever the team offer you.
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Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 6:12pm #937375

caray12
Participant
Of course you want Eric Bledsoe to take less money than in the open market. You mentioned a guy like Kyle Lowry as a guy that has more value than Eric Bledsoe. But you fail to realize that Kyle Lowry is 28 and Eric Bledsoe is 24 years of age. You don’t pay for past accomplishments you pay for what there going to be in the future. Yeah Steph Curry is underpaid but your wroth is whatever the team offer you.
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- Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 7:21pm #937531
  
  christebas
  Participant
  They’re both in their prime the next 6-8 years (and Bledsoe’s been hurt a lot) so 24 verses 28 isn’t that big of a difference for this contract (4 years). I don’t want Bledsoe to do anything – I’m not a Suns fan. I was just considering what other point guards with skills better than his are earning.
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- Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 7:21pm #937400
  
  christebas
  Participant
  They’re both in their prime the next 6-8 years (and Bledsoe’s been hurt a lot) so 24 verses 28 isn’t that big of a difference for this contract (4 years). I don’t want Bledsoe to do anything – I’m not a Suns fan. I was just considering what other point guards with skills better than his are earning.
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Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 6:12pm #937377

caray12
Participant
Of course you want Eric Bledsoe to take less money than in the open market. You mentioned a guy like Kyle Lowry as a guy that has more value than Eric Bledsoe. But you fail to realize that Kyle Lowry is 28 and Eric Bledsoe is 24 years of age. You don’t pay for past accomplishments you pay for what there going to be in the future. Yeah Steph Curry is underpaid but your wroth is whatever the team offer you.
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Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 6:16pm #937503

TimberTroll
Participant
I can’t help but imagining players like Bledsoe yelling at thier agents "SHOW ME THE MONEY….SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!!!"
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Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 6:16pm #937373

TimberTroll
Participant
I can’t help but imagining players like Bledsoe yelling at thier agents "SHOW ME THE MONEY….SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!!!"
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Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 6:44pm #937511

BogDon_Krypt
Participant
Of course you want Eric Bledsoe to take less money than in the open market. You mentioned a guy like Kyle Lowry as a guy that has more value than Eric Bledsoe. But you fail to realize that Kyle Lowry is 28 and Eric Bledsoe is 24 years of age. You don’t pay for past accomplishments you pay for what there going to be in the future. Yeah Steph Curry is underpaid but your wroth is whatever the team offer you.

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Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 6:44pm #937380

BogDon_Krypt
Participant
Of course you want Eric Bledsoe to take less money than in the open market. You mentioned a guy like Kyle Lowry as a guy that has more value than Eric Bledsoe. But you fail to realize that Kyle Lowry is 28 and Eric Bledsoe is 24 years of age. You don’t pay for past accomplishments you pay for what there going to be in the future. Yeah Steph Curry is underpaid but your wroth is whatever the team offer you.

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Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 6:49pm #937513

SeattleSuperChronics
Participant
I think you are missing what’s going on here..Bledsoe doesn’t want to play for the suns and I’m pretty confident they know he wants to walk. How else do you explain Tyler Ennis, Isaiah Thomas and dragic. Someone’s going to offer him the max and the suns won’t match. Just watch.
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Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 6:49pm #937382

SeattleSuperChronics
Participant
I think you are missing what’s going on here..Bledsoe doesn’t want to play for the suns and I’m pretty confident they know he wants to walk. How else do you explain Tyler Ennis, Isaiah Thomas and dragic. Someone’s going to offer him the max and the suns won’t match. Just watch.
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- Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 7:17pm #937527
  
  christebas
  Participant
  To be honest I was thinking the Suns would rather sign Bledsoe over Dragic as he’s aging in his 30s and is in his walk year following this coming season. So, with that in mind, I think they drafted Ennis and signed Thomas. Even if they lose Dragic, they’re still left with 3 PGS so you bring up a good point, but they could play them together. However, there’s about 4 teams that have the money to spend on a max deal on Bledsoe as the Suns have refused to offer a sign-and-trade. Philly – not happneing, Milwaukee – Brandon Knight has nice upside and he’s under contract, Orlando – highly unlikely, Utah – highly unlikely -The Lakers – I think they keep their cap space as Kobe takes about 1/2 of it the next 2 years. So who else could has the cap space to straight up offer him 16 mil in the first year? I don’t think any other team has that kind of cap space left.
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- Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 7:17pm #937396
  
  christebas
  Participant
  To be honest I was thinking the Suns would rather sign Bledsoe over Dragic as he’s aging in his 30s and is in his walk year following this coming season. So, with that in mind, I think they drafted Ennis and signed Thomas. Even if they lose Dragic, they’re still left with 3 PGS so you bring up a good point, but they could play them together. However, there’s about 4 teams that have the money to spend on a max deal on Bledsoe as the Suns have refused to offer a sign-and-trade. Philly – not happneing, Milwaukee – Brandon Knight has nice upside and he’s under contract, Orlando – highly unlikely, Utah – highly unlikely -The Lakers – I think they keep their cap space as Kobe takes about 1/2 of it the next 2 years. So who else could has the cap space to straight up offer him 16 mil in the first year? I don’t think any other team has that kind of cap space left.
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  - Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 9:46pm #937585
    
    Magic Jordan
    Participant
    Above you said that Lowry will be in his prime for the next 6-8 years which is wrong because nobody is in their prime when they are 35 years old…. but that’s besides the point because you just said Dragic is aging and in his 30’s… which is wrong he is the same age as Lowry…28. So how can two guys, of the same age be "hitting their prime" and "aging"??
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  - Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 9:46pm #937454
    
    Magic Jordan
    Participant
    Above you said that Lowry will be in his prime for the next 6-8 years which is wrong because nobody is in their prime when they are 35 years old…. but that’s besides the point because you just said Dragic is aging and in his 30’s… which is wrong he is the same age as Lowry…28. So how can two guys, of the same age be "hitting their prime" and "aging"??
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    - Posted on: Fri, 07/18/2014 - 2:39am #937486
      
      ItsVictorOladipo
      Participant
      Hate to be that guy Magic Jordan, but while I agree with you on the whole, it is rare but possible to be in your prime at 35.
      Alex English’s prime was from the age of 28-35 (averaging at least 25 ppg each season) and Steve Nash’s prime was somewhere between the ages of 29 and 36. Robert Parish also had one of the best seasons of his career at the age of 35 and then had a steady decline afterwards.
      But seeing as how both Dragic and Lowry are both 28, relatively injury free and have little tread on their tires, one is just as likely as the other to play at a high level for a longer time.
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    - Posted on: Fri, 07/18/2014 - 2:39am #937617
      
      ItsVictorOladipo
      Participant
      Hate to be that guy Magic Jordan, but while I agree with you on the whole, it is rare but possible to be in your prime at 35.
      Alex English’s prime was from the age of 28-35 (averaging at least 25 ppg each season) and Steve Nash’s prime was somewhere between the ages of 29 and 36. Robert Parish also had one of the best seasons of his career at the age of 35 and then had a steady decline afterwards.
      But seeing as how both Dragic and Lowry are both 28, relatively injury free and have little tread on their tires, one is just as likely as the other to play at a high level for a longer time.
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    - Posted on: Fri, 07/18/2014 - 3:54am #937504
      
      christebas
      Participant
      You’re right, for some reason I thought Dragic was 33/34. I think when it comes to a player in his prime, it’s typcially the 25-35 range assuming no injuries. As you said, both Lowry and Dragic are 28 which makes them both appealing not just becuase they both put up great numbers last year, but because they should both flourish during the next 7 years or so. As for the Suns, I think they would love to keep both Dragic and Bledsoe, despite drafting Ennis (who they can always trade) and signning Thomas. However, my point was if the Suns had to choose to sign either Dragic or Bledsoe, they’d choose Bledsoe over Dragic, but not for max money. He’s just not worth it in my opinion.
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    - Posted on: Fri, 07/18/2014 - 3:54am #937634
      
      christebas
      Participant
      You’re right, for some reason I thought Dragic was 33/34. I think when it comes to a player in his prime, it’s typcially the 25-35 range assuming no injuries. As you said, both Lowry and Dragic are 28 which makes them both appealing not just becuase they both put up great numbers last year, but because they should both flourish during the next 7 years or so. As for the Suns, I think they would love to keep both Dragic and Bledsoe, despite drafting Ennis (who they can always trade) and signning Thomas. However, my point was if the Suns had to choose to sign either Dragic or Bledsoe, they’d choose Bledsoe over Dragic, but not for max money. He’s just not worth it in my opinion.
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Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 9:46pm #937583

Mr. HookShot
Participant
If the Suns are smart, they try to set up a sign-and-trade, getting some pieces in return. The Kings or the Bucks might have the pieces and interest in adding Bledsoe to make it work.
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Posted on: Thu, 07/17/2014 - 9:46pm #937452

Mr. HookShot
Participant
If the Suns are smart, they try to set up a sign-and-trade, getting some pieces in return. The Kings or the Bucks might have the pieces and interest in adding Bledsoe to make it work.
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Posted on: Fri, 07/18/2014 - 3:47am #937502

BigChamp12
Participant
Personally, If I’m a GM… I don’t want to pay Bledsoe the max, however I definitely believe he is worth the max and will be a Star in the league one day. He’s had a few injuries but nothing too major. The guy is a tank, very quick, and has no problem creating for himself and others. He is Westbrook 2.0 but with a little more control and more of a point guards mentality. He’s also just as good as Westbrook on defense. When he was with the Clippers, CP3 said Bledsoe shouldn’t be a backup and that he deserves his own team. Lebron is also on record endorsing him calling him a "Mini-Lebron". I’m just saying, I believe it.
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Posted on: Fri, 07/18/2014 - 3:47am #937633

BigChamp12
Participant
Personally, If I’m a GM… I don’t want to pay Bledsoe the max, however I definitely believe he is worth the max and will be a Star in the league one day. He’s had a few injuries but nothing too major. The guy is a tank, very quick, and has no problem creating for himself and others. He is Westbrook 2.0 but with a little more control and more of a point guards mentality. He’s also just as good as Westbrook on defense. When he was with the Clippers, CP3 said Bledsoe shouldn’t be a backup and that he deserves his own team. Lebron is also on record endorsing him calling him a "Mini-Lebron". I’m just saying, I believe it.
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Posted on: Fri, 07/18/2014 - 5:06am #937522

Toronto16
Participant
Why do the Suns want to resign Bledsoe anyway? They already have a glut of point guards on their roster.
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Posted on: Fri, 07/18/2014 - 5:06am #937652

Toronto16
Participant
Why do the Suns want to resign Bledsoe anyway? They already have a glut of point guards on their roster.
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Posted on: Fri, 07/18/2014 - 5:16am #937530

UnbiasedObserver
Participant
The only thing I didn’t like was that he put Derrick Rose in the list for players getting paid the max that are better overall. Can’t really say that about D. Rose because he hasn’t played in 2 years and may not be what he once was. Maybe he will, I dont know.
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Posted on: Fri, 07/18/2014 - 5:16am #937660

UnbiasedObserver
Participant
The only thing I didn’t like was that he put Derrick Rose in the list for players getting paid the max that are better overall. Can’t really say that about D. Rose because he hasn’t played in 2 years and may not be what he once was. Maybe he will, I dont know.
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Posted on: Fri, 07/18/2014 - 5:17am #937532

IndianaBasketball
Participant
Eric Bledsoe has torn his meniscus twice. The details of his tears haven’t been released, but you can tell by his recovery time that the damage was cut out and not repaired. Who knows just how bad the damage was, but the fact it was cut out means he’s bone on bone in some parts of his knee.
For a guard who’s game is based purely on athleticism, I’d be extremely hesitant. He could very well be worth the max, but giving it to him right now would be a huge gamble.
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Posted on: Fri, 07/18/2014 - 5:17am #937662

IndianaBasketball
Participant
Eric Bledsoe has torn his meniscus twice. The details of his tears haven’t been released, but you can tell by his recovery time that the damage was cut out and not repaired. Who knows just how bad the damage was, but the fact it was cut out means he’s bone on bone in some parts of his knee.
For a guard who’s game is based purely on athleticism, I’d be extremely hesitant. He could very well be worth the max, but giving it to him right now would be a huge gamble.
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