Earl Watson Implies Eric Bledsoe Shut Down for Season by Suns

Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe didn't play in Wednesday's 107-101 loss to the Sacramento Kings and may be shut down for the season.

Josh Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 in Phoenix reported the team elected to shut the Kentucky product down with 14 games remaining in the 2016-17 campaign. Head coach Earl Watson said it was a "management decision" that led to Bledsoe not playing Wednesday, per Kent Somers of AZCentral Sports.

Somers added it "sounds like he's being shut down."

Gerald Bourguet of Hoops Habit provided some clarification, noting the coach didn't make it official:

Bledsoe has been durable this season and appeared in 66 games. He is averaging a career-high 21.1 points a night as one of Phoenix's go-to offensive options who can shoot the three (33.7 percent), drive the lane and set up teammates (a career-high 6.3 assists per game).

On the one hand, the Suns are 22-46 on the season and nowhere near postseason contention. Bledsoe played just 31 games in 2015-16 and suffered a season-ending meniscus tear. With nothing left to play for, Phoenix could be taking a cautious approach with its star, especially since he isn't an unrestricted free agent until 2019, per Spotrac.

There is also the notion the Suns would be better off losing at this point of the season for draft purposes. Only the Los Angeles Lakers (20) and Brooklyn Nets (12) have fewer wins than Phoenix this season.

Even if the team is shutting down Bledsoe to avoid injury after last season's setback, it could benefit from a drop in the standings and increase in draft lottery chances while he is sidelined.