Eric Bledsoe Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz and Speculation on Suns Star
As the Phoenix Suns look to improve their roster, shopping point guard Eric Bledsoe could be a good way to secure multiple future assets.
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Suns Brass Deny Bledsoe Trade Rumors
Saturday, June 25
SiriusXM NBA Radio revealed Friday that Suns head coach Earl Watson announced on NBA Today the Suns were not shopping Bledsoe during the draft.
Sports Illustrated's Jake Fischer also noted Thursday he received a text from a Suns executive stating the Bledsoe rumors were "all false."
Sean Deveney of Sporting News reported June 22 the Suns may look to move Bledsoe. Deveney also noted Phoenix is hoping to "rebalance its guard-heavy roster and hopes to add frontcourt help."
Bledsoe Struggling to Shake Injury Bug
Bledsoe is one of the NBA's most productive point guards when healthy. The 26-year-old averaged a career-high 20.4 points last season and tied his career high with 6.1 assists in 31 games.
The problem for Bledsoe, unfortunately, has been staying on the court. His 2015-16 season ended on December 26. Three days later, the Suns announced he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
Bledsoe recently told Cameron Cox of 12 News (via Tyler Emerick of NBA.com) he's "doing great" and "preparing [his] body" for the upcoming season.
Bledsoe had two separate surgeries in 2011 and 2014 to repair the meniscus in his right knee, and he's missed at least 26 games three times in six NBA seasons. He is signed for three more seasons at $43.5 million, per Spotrac.
It's not an overwhelming sum of money to pay, especially for a point guard who can average 17 points and five assists per game. Bledsoe's injury history would figure to lower any demands the Suns have in trade discussions, though the value of a point guard who can score and distribute is so high that someone could be willing to pay the price.
