Eric Bledsoe’s time with the Phoenix Suns has come to an end. After a disastrous start to the season, the Suns parted with coach Earl Watson on Sunday and will shortly be shipping their star point guard elsewhere as well.
Prior to Watson’s firing, Bledsoe tweeted out “I don’t wanna be here,” and on Monday his explanation of being at a hair salon was not believable enough for the Suns and they sent him home. Phoenix GM Ryan McDonough says Bledsoe won’t be with the team moving forward, which means a trade is imminent and he’ll simply sit at home until a deal gets done.
It’s likely a trade is completed in the next day or two, making for one of the earliest trades in recent memory. We laid out the teams that should be working the phones hard and going after Bledsoe, and there are already reports that many of them are heeding that advice. Here we will be rounding up all the hot Bledsoe trade rumors up until we get something concrete with regards to an actual trade.
We’ll start with the Clippers, who Bledsoe began his career with and DeAndre Jordan wants to be brought “back home.” They were a logical fit with Milos Teodosic’s injury in the minds of many, but USA Today’s Sam Amick’s sources threw a wet blanket on those rumors.
Being told this is doubtful, partly b/c Beverley, Austin Rivers, Lou Williams means plenty of capable ball-handlers https://t.co/WkgPEZo1za
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) October 23, 2017
Milwaukee is a team with tons of promise this season behind Giannis Antetokounmpo’s early rise as a legit MVP candidate, but they have a hole at point guard and Marc Stein of the New York Times reports they are in the mix for Bledsoe.
The Bucks are a team that has expressed interest in trading for Eric Bledsoe, according to league sources
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 23, 2017
The Bucks are reportedly looking to send a pair of bigs to Phoenix in exchange for Bledsoe’s services.
Source tells me the #Bucks are offering a package that includes Greg Monroe, Thon Maker, and a protected pick in exchange for Eric #Bledsoe
— YouTube: The Monty Show (@TheMontyShow) October 23, 2017
The Knicks are also rumored to have interest, as they too have some point guard need alongside rookie Frank Ntilikina and Bledsoe has a relationship with Jeff Hornacek, his former coach in Phoenix.
The Knicks are among the teams who have reached out to Phoenix recently about trading for guard Eric Bledsoe, per league sources. https://t.co/INmuthUPc6
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 23, 2017
While the Knicks might want Bledsoe to join Ntilikina, according to Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders, the Suns are asking the Knicks for their rookie point guard as well as young center Willy Hernangomez in a potential deal.
Phoenix Suns asked New York Knicks for Frank Ntlikina and Willy Hernangomez in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, league sources told @BBallInsiders
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) October 23, 2017
Denver is another team hoping to be a playoff contender with a big need at point guard, relying heavily on Jamal Murray (who isn’t naturally a point guard) and little in stability around him after releasing Jameer Nelson. They are allegedly trying to land Bledsoe with a package focused on former first round pick Emmanuel Mudiay.
Suns and Nuggets have discussed a trade of Eric Bledsoe for Emmanuel Mudiay and other pieces, league sources told @BBallInsiders.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) October 23, 2017
There are undoubtedly plenty more teams that will try to get in on the Bledsoe sweepstakes and take advantage of Phoenix having little in the way of leverage with a point guard who is an above-average starter in the NBA, but for now these are the ones that have reportedly been in contact to try and launch serious trade talks.
