Eric Bledsoe Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz, Speculation Surrounding Suns PG
Phoenix Suns point guard Eric Bledsoe was reportedly shopped leading up to the NBA draft, though the team has reportedly taken him off the trading block.
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Bledsoe Trade Talks Reportedly End After Brandon Knight Deal
Wednesday, July 1
Following Knight's five-year, $70 million extension, the Suns have ended trade discussions involving Bledsoe, according to David Aldridge of NBA.com.
However, Marc Stein of ESPN noted Trail Blazers GM Neil Olshey drafted Bledsoe when he was with the Clippers, and if Aldridge heads to the Suns in a surprise move, the Suns may offer Bledsoe in a sign-and-trade.
Suns coach Jeff Hornacek went on Sirius XM Radio to defend Bledsoe when asked about a potential trade to the Knicks. "Eric is a big part of our future and there was no entertainment of that," he said, according to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
"Eric Bledsoe is still a young player, in his mid-20s," Suns general manager Ryan McDonough said June 27, according to ArizonaSports.com's Adam Green. "He's gotten better every year he's been in the NBA."
On June 22, Deveney reported Phoenix offered Bledsoe and the 13th overall pick to the New York Knicks. Deveney also cited sources in stating Bledsoe will continue to be a trade chip the Suns explore cashing in on if their young floor general isn't dealt on draft night.
Bledsoe, who stuffed the stat sheet in 81 games this past season with 17 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.6 steals, has already been part of one blockbuster trade in his young career, when he came to Phoenix from the Los Angeles Clippers.
McDonough had a strong first year at the helm to push Phoenix to a surprising winning season, but seems to be clearing the deck now and truly restructuring the roster.
Phoenix had a surplus of point guards in Bledsoe, Isaiah Thomas and Goran Dragic last year. An extraordinarily active NBA trade deadline saw McDonough ship away the latter two and acquire Knight in a three-team deal.
Both Knight and Bledsoe are similar in that they're smaller but extremely quick and athletic combo guards who have a knack for setting up teammates and can also score. Now, it seems as though the Suns will be looking to see what the tandem can do as they work together to build a winner.
