At 27, Eric Bledsoe doesn’t quite fit in with the Suns’ youth movement and the team may explore trading him for someone who does, suggests Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post.
Bledsoe, who has been shut down for the season because of “soreness” in his left knee, remains one of the best assets on the Phoenix roster. He averaged 21.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 66 games, and has an attractive contract totaling $29.5MM over the next two seasons.
Bontemps notes that the Suns’ future will be built around shooting guard Devin Booker, who is 20, power forwards Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender, who will both turn 20 this year, and whomever they get with their first-rounder in June.
At 22-52, the Suns are third in our latest Reverse Standings, which puts them in the running for an elite point guard such as Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball. If that happens, parting with Bledsoe will be much easier.
Phoenix would also like to find a taker for Brandon Knight, who still has three seasons and nearly $43.9MM left on his contract. Knight has turned into a part-time player with the Suns, averaging 11.0 points and 2.4 assists this season, but Bontemps notes that he was a near All-Star with the Bucks two years ago. He writes that there won’t be many teams interested in Knight, but someone may take the gamble if Phoenix is willing to give him away.
Bledsoe or Knight for Okafor
Only taking Knight if he comes with a future 1st round pick attached. That’s a straight salary dump.
why get Okafor they have Bender, Chriss and Len
Suns need a veteran star to carry them until the youngsters grow up. They should to look to add someone like CP3 or Paul George in a trade. Bledsoe + a future #1 for George sounds about right. Then, draft D. Fox from UK to run their show.
Another avenue for a 3 team deal involving Melo. Bledsoe to Knicks if they can’t grab Fultz or Ball.
Knicks should look at Knight in a salary dump move (i.e. Knight for a future 2nd rounder or something). He would easily replace Rose and is relatively affordable.
Would trade okafor yesterday for Bledsoe or knight
Bledsoe is worth so much more than okafor.
Um, no. Guards are plentiful. Big men are not. Good big man over a good guard any day.
Yes, but Bledsoe and Okafor are different degrees of good. Bledsoe is “above average good.” Okafor is “meh, but young and with a draft pedigree.” Okafor and Covington for Bledsoe and the right to swap 2nd rounders would be something I could see.
Okafor has done nothing to show he is a “good big man.”
Maybe for Jim Okafor down at the rec center. It’s going to take more than that to get a big man who can score like Okafor.
Haha you honestly think Jahlil Okafor isn’t enough for Bledsoe? I am concerned for you mental well-being.
Until Jah shows signs of being even a passable defender, it’s going to be really difficult to extract value from him.
The fact you think Okafor is enough for Bledsoe makes me concerned for your mental health. One guy is a leader on his team averaging 21-6-5 in a stacked west where nearly every team has good/great guards. The other is a malcontent that doesn’t play defense and has had multiple off the court issues.
No, I don’t think Bledsoe is enough for Okafor, sorry if that wasn’t clear. He thinks Okafor is too much for Bledsoe. I think Okafor is far too little. I’m with you.
Not an entirely bad idea but okafor doesn’t play enough defense or rebound. Imo he would take shots away from Booker and Warren. Phoenix needs a veteran enforcer in the middle . ( A younger Tyson Chandler ) who just wants to rebound, block shots and catch put backs. And can bring some toughness to a young team. A lineup of ball Booker warren and Criss would be an exciting up tempo team.
It’s guard/ forward league now. A big man’s impact is on the defensive side.
If you’re keen on trading Okafor, there’s going to be a 3rd team involved. Suns have bigs already like someone said – though Len is probably gone even as an RFA. Someone will probably offer him a stupid contract.
Suns are gearing up to draft a guard or small forward, whichever lands in their lap this year. Problem is Knight is owed 3yrs/43.8M , and 15.6M and Bledsoe is always injured with 2yrs/29.5M.
Wonder if they could flip Knight back to the Bucks for Monroe. Expiring contract, scoring ‘big’. Bucks don’t have a PG outside of Delly. Limited options to get anything of value back.
Bledsoe and Len for brook Lopez n RHJ
How old is knight? Look it up, and then say you’re completely giving up on him and done with him. I wouldn’t want him either but if I had a contract or couple contracts of players that have fallen out of my Rotation I might take a chance. It’s hard for any player to perform when they aren’t getting consistent minutes, or injuries that take longer to recover from than the average fan realizes, some dudes need that extra 3-5% to be elite and without it they don’t have it.
Bledsoe is old now?! 27 that’s crazy, he is fun to watch he is super explosive and his shot has gotten much better than I think anyone realized it would. Seems like he has a good attitude too. I’d try to dump chandler before I even thought about these dudes