Eric Bledsoe Has Surgery, Out Indefinitely

FRIDAY, 10:54am: Bledsoe underwent successful surgery this morning, and the expectation is that he’ll return at some point this season, tweets Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com. In the Suns’ official press release announcing the procedure, the team indicated that Bledsoe “will pursue a possible return to action” in the second half.

THURSDAY, 3:22pm: Eric Bledsoe requires a surgical procedure to repair cartilage in his right knee, and will be out indefinitely, reports ESPN.com’s Marc Stein. According to Stein, Bledsoe is suspected to have meniscus damage, though the exact scope and severity of his injury isn’t yet known.

If Bledsoe misses a significant amount of time, it could have a major impact on both his future and his team’s future. The Suns were rumored to be buyers leading up to the trade deadline, with multiple reports suggesting the team was willing to give up draft picks to land an impact player. However, even with a 21-13 record, Phoenix will likely become more reluctant to improve its roster in the short term if Bledsoe won’t be around to help the club contend.

Additionally, Bledsoe is in the final year of his rookie contract, making him eligible for restricted free agency this summer. Based on his excellent play so far this season (18.0 PPG, 5.3 APG, 20.2 PER), the 24-year-old appeared poised for a huge payday in July. He should still do very well, but if there are any concerns about the long-term health of his knee, a maximum-salary offer certainly won’t be a given.

In Bledsoe’s absence, Goran Dragic will get the majority of minutes at the point, while other Suns guards like Ish Smith and Gerald Green should see an uptick in playing time.

View Comments (2)