Eric Bledsoe seems like he might be at the end of his career with the Phoenix Suns. On Sunday afternoon, Bledsoe sent out a vague tweet that implied he wants to leave the franchise — a few hours later, it was announced that Phoenix decided to fire head coach Earl Watson after the team got to an 0-3 start this season.
Bledsoe is a veteran on a young team that won’t be a threat to do much of anything for a few years, so it makes sense that he wants to go elsewhere. This, of course, raises the question: What teams should try to acquire one of the most explosive point guards in the NBA?
Cleveland Cavaliers
The great irony of this situation is it could have been avoided if the Suns traded Bledsoe and one or two other pieces to Cleveland for Kyrie Irving over the summer. If that went down, the young Suns would have had an established star at point guard and a group of young, talented players around him. Instead, they have … well they have the same thing, only everyone is angry now.
Now, Cleveland still could use a point guard while Isaiah Thomas recovers from his bum hip, especially if you are skeptical about Derrick Rose staying healthy until Thomas comes back. Bledsoe and LeBron James are tight — the pair worked out over the summer and share an agent — and the asking price for Bledsoe won’t be nearly as high as it was earlier this year.
The big question that could decide whether this deal happens is if Brooklyn’s first-round pick comes into play. If the Cavs wanted to do a deal for Bledsoe and Phoenix came back and said “We’ll only do it if you include the Nets pick,” what do Koby Altman and co. say? Do they unload the pick this quickly for a player who has never made an All-Star Game? Do they want to hold onto it for a bigger trade closer to the deadline?
Phoenix has next-to-no leverage in any Bledsoe deal, but with the Cavaliers, it could conceivably set the bar really, really high.
Los Angeles Clippers
A move with the Clippers makes sense beyond DeAndre Jordan wanting Bledsoe to make a return to Los Angeles. The Clippers have something of a hole at point guard, as Patrick Beverley’s offensive game is hit-or-miss. Additionally, Milos Teodosic is out indefinitely with a foot injury.
If Los Angeles wants a guard it can build around, it’d be smart to acquire Bledsoe. The Clippers don’t have a ton of young assets to move in a trade — maybe some combination of Sindarius Thornwell, Sam Dekker, Montrezel Harrell, and Brice Johnson can pique Phoenix’s interest — but it does boast a collection of veterans to give the Suns more veterans in their locker room.
Is that appealing? Who knows, but putting Bledsoe, Danilo Gallinari, Blake Griffin, and Jordan on the same team would be really, really fun.
Milwaukee Bucks
If there’s any team that would love adding an athletic freak of nature like Bledsoe, it’d be the Bucks, which holds the distinction of being the most crazy athletic team in the NBA. Getting anyone who would take the ball out of Giannis Antetekounmpo’s hands is a questionable idea, especially as the Greek Freak is putting up absurd numbers thus far this year, but Bledsoe would immediately become a top-5 point guard in the East if he joined the Bucks.
A package consisting of Malcolm Brogdon and/or Jabari Parker plus someone to make up the financial gap in this deal (let’s say Mirza Teletovic, although John Henson and Greg Monroe work, too) could be really, really appealing. Brogdon has looked great this season and is the reigning Rookie of the Year, although he turns 25 in a few months (he’s almost three years to the day younger than Bledsoe), and while Parker’s injury history is well-documented, he’s still an extremely talented scorer who could be part of a potentially devastating group of wings in Phoenix.
Orlando Magic
Orlando has a whole bunch of young players, a need at point guard, and a big man who has put up crazy numbers so far this season. It’s also one of those teams that has treaded water for years and could use a face of the franchise. With Bledsoe under contract for another three years, why not swing for the fences and see if he can be that guy?
The Magic can come to the table with a package of some combination of Elfrid Payton, Mario Hezonja, Aaron Gordon, and Jonathan Isaac. They also have a bunch of second-round picks and Oklahoma City’s 2020 first-round pick that can be tacked onto any kind of deal. Assuming Payton would have to be moved to make way for Bledsoe, a deal with himself, Hezonja, and a few picks would help the Suns as they try to build towards the future.
We’re talking about a team that has not made the postseason since the 2011-12 season. Orlando went 37-29 that year. Since then, the Magic have eclipsed their win total from that lockout-shortened season a grand total of zero times. If Bledsoe is as available as he seems, they might as well try to get him, no?
Denver Nuggets
If Phoenix wants to get its hands on some young point guards, no team makes more sense for a deal than Denver. The Suns could conceivably pick between Jamal Murray and Emmanuel Mudiay, both of whom are still really young and need some polish, but will have all the time in the world to iron out whatever wrinkles they may have. With a full-blown youth movement on the verge of happening in Phoenix, it’d be wise to get in touch with a team that possesses a bevy of young talent like the Nuggets.
Denver also seems like it’s ready to try and win now — you do not go out and acquire Paul Millsap unless you think the window for you to compete is open. Millsap, Nikola Jokic, and probably the recently-extended Gary Harris are all untouchable in a trade, but beyond that, the Nuggets have a collection of young players and veterans who fill very specific roles that could help the Suns out in the short and long term.
New York Knicks
The Knicks’ point guard depth chart, as it currently looks on ESPN, is Ramon Sessions, Jarrett Jack, and Frank Ntilikina. That’s two veterans who are more suited for backup roles and a raw-but-intriguing rookie. Ron Baker leads the team in assists and steals. New York needs a point guard, and Bledsoe would be a good fit within the Knicks based on the success he had when Jeff Hornacek was the head coach in Phoenix.
In fact, Bledsoe praised Hornacek when the Knicks and Suns played last year, saying “He let me come out and play my game within the team. He taught us how to play the game the right way.” Whether the Knicks have the pieces to acquire Bledsoe is one thing — the team isn’t exactly brimming with assets — but if they were able to get him, he’d fit right in.
