The Phoenix Suns are taking their time with trade talks involving point guard Eric Bledsoe, as well they should. The Suns want to get back reasonably fair value for the point guard and, at the moment, team’s aren’t willing to meet their demands — which is understandable, considering right now Phoenix has very little leverage.
Bledsoe, in the meanwhile, is waiting patiently to be traded while remaining apart from the team following his “I don’t wanna be here” tweet from two weeks ago and his subsequent explanation that he was at a hair salon.
While Bledsoe is not going to be part of the Suns’ plans for the rest of the season, as they’ve moved on without him riding their young core and starting Mike James at point guard, there is the issue of keeping him in basketball shape. That’s important to Bledsoe and to the Suns, because if Bledsoe’s not getting any reps then his value will only diminish more. So, according to The Vertical’s Shams Charania, the Suns and Bledsoe have come to a compromise.
Sources: As potential trade prolongs, Phoenix's Eric Bledsoe planning to return to Suns' facility, work with staff members, early this week.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 5, 2017
There's no plan for Bledsoe to return to team; instead use facility again to stay in game shape and work with staff, sources said. https://t.co/wfGnMozHZz
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 5, 2017
Bledsoe can return to the Suns’ facilities and work with the staff to remain in basketball shape and conditioning, while still not being with the rest of the team, where his discontent could spread. It seems like the best way to handle the situation that’s otherwise gone extremely poorly this season. How long Bledsoe will remain in basketball purgatory will be an interesting storyline to watch, as Phoenix might wait this out all the way towards the deadline (or until a contender becomes desperate for point guard help).
