The NBA offseason featured a parade of trade candidates eventually finding new homes, with Jimmy Butler, Paul George, Kyrie Irving, and Carmelo Anthony among the All-Star players who were dealt. In the wake of Oklahoma City’s acquisition of Anthony, it seemed like the trade market may be quiet for a couple months, but a five-word tweet from Eric Bledsoe (“I don’t wanna be here”) changed all that earlier this week.
In the three days since Bledsoe’s now-infamous tweet, the Suns have sent him home and begun exploring potential trades, though public comments made by general manager Ryan McDonough on the situation aren’t exactly buoying the point guard’s trade value.
While there still seems to be a significant gap between what the Suns are looking for in exchange for Bledsoe and what potential suitors are willing to offer, a number of possible landing spots have emerged. According to various reports, the Nuggets, Bucks, and Knicks are among the clubs with interest in Bledsoe.
Several other teams have also been linked to the point guard, including the Magic, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, Clippers, Sixers, Pacers, and Spurs. However, most of those potential trade partners for Phoenix appear to be based more on speculation than on anything concrete.
The Suns have some excess cap room and they aren’t in any rush to win now, so they have some flexibility when it comes to finding a deal for Bledsoe and his $14.5MM salary. But it may be tricky to find a package they feel gives them fair value. While Bledsoe put up big numbers last season, averaging 21.1 PPG, 6.3 APG, and 4.8 RPG, he has battled injuries throughout his career, and this season’s saga has raised questions about his ability to handle difficult situations.
What do you think? Which team do you think would be the best fit for Bledsoe, and which club could offer the Suns the best package? What sort of return do you think the Suns should be happy with for Bledsoe?
Jump into our comment section below to share your thoughts!
By now, I’m sure every GM in the league is aware Bledsoe is going to be moved one way or the other, and that pretty much guarantees the Suns won’t get close to what they want for him, and probably not even close to what he’s worth.
Sixers get Bledsoe for Okafor and Bayless.
I am not sure if the Balloon Head Society aka Sixer Management and Coach Brown would do it, it would make too much sense.
Why the Sixers are sitting Okafor is beyond me and has me annoyed. Anyway, we will see what happens.
They’ll keep Bayless because he’s a better catch and shoot player. Bayless and Simmons can easily coexist cause Jerryd is basically an SG who can guard the PG spot. Eric’s fit is questionable because of his shooting. Plus, Jerryd was praised by Simmons for his mentorship
First names?
Okafor is sitting for same reason no one wanted to sign Greg Monroe and Roy Hibbert is out of the league. No one will want to overpay on his next contract!
I think at this point they should be happy to receive a solid young guy, a late first round pick, and maybe take on chandler’s contract. That’s absolute best case scenario in my mind. Obviously the bucks and nuggets would love to have another Allstar caliber player. I don’t know why the Knicks would give up any young along with a pick, when they’re obviously trying to rebuild with Anthony gone and porzingis the new leader. But outside the nuggets and the bucks, I think the Spurs would be interesting, giving them a good starting point, to help especially with kawhi down now in the short term, and Parker out in the long term. Maybe give up Murray, even with the good start, and a pick. But that’s just dreaming for another true big 3 with Bledsoe, Kawhi, and Aldridge. SA hasn’t had one since the true big 3 of Duncan, ginobili, and Parker.
You’ve got to be kidding. Murray is a PLAYER.
I still think he ends up with the Cavs for ITs expiring contract and Osman.
I’m not sure if that’s enough for the sun’s even though an expiring contract is attractive.
Off the top of my head, Orlando, Denver, Milwaukee probably make the most sense, although there are a couple of other teams I can see potentially changing things up. Part of the issue is that there are limitations to who can and can’t be traded until after December 15. I can see potential packages like this from those teams…
Bledsoe, Troy Daniels, and Phoenix 2018 2nd round pick for Mudiay, Faried, and Denver’s 2019 1st round pick
Bledsoe and 2018 Suns 2nd round pick for Dellavadova, Vaughn, DJ Wilson, and the Bucks 2020 1st round pick
The Orlando idea was a little more difficult to figure out. I tried to figure out several different iterations. It kept ending up more like a money deal. This version is probably pretty complicated, so don’t crucify me on it lol…
Bledsoe, Chandler, Daniels, 2018 Suns 2nd round pick and right to swap 2020 1st round pick for Payton, Biyombo, Augustin, 2018 Lakers 2nd round pick, and 2020 OKC 1st round pick (with same protections currently on it)
I think the trade you have for Denver would be fair and would be good for both teams.
The Bucks have one of the highest team salaries in the NBA. I don’t see it!
Bucks would throw in Henson lol
And Greg Monroe too!
I think the bucks might be the best home for Bledsoe. They will still nee a little more to win it all but they need a point guard. Bledsoe and the Greek freak should be able to beat boston and give the cavs a run for their money. If not the bucks I think the spurs or cavs would be better teams for him. But those would be trades that are better for Bledsoe I’m not sure how well they would be for Phoenix
I don’t think that Bledsoe would be that great of a fit with the bucks as him and Giannis are both ball dominant and not great outside shooters. Brogdon is the perfect point guard for them because of his defense and spacing he provides. I think that the Clippers would be the best fit but I don’t know what they would give up
Where’s the young players and high draft picks the Suns owner wants? Like Paul George was to the Pacers, Giannis is to the Bucks. outside of him they don’t have anyone anybody would want, especially overpaid players!
The Clippers, Bucks, and Spurs are the best fits for Bledsoe
I’ll try it again. The Cavs could use both Bledsoe and Chandler, who the Suns want to dump for youth. The two would have a shot at fame and finals while starting, but while not having to play major minutes.
The Cavs send Isaiah Thomas in a PG exchange, youngsters Zizac and Osman, and Shumpert who they have been interested in.
Also they can send their own #1, and the Suns have been known to be interested in cash.
This deal falls about 200k short but I suspect there are ways around that.
Bledsoe is ready now, the Cavs need organizing.
Cavs owner has been paying the luxury tax for 2 years. He can only take on minimum contracts!
Correct me if I’m wrong but the Cavs have to wait until Dec. to trade Zizic, IT or Crowder.
@BB— No, they were under existing contracts. Traded players may require a 60-day wait but that’s over.
@TS— They can still trade if salaries are within range. Trade exceptions can be used in some cases.
there is no way that the Cavs would take on Chandlers Salary in that trade and give up a first. Plus the Suns already had Thomas and he didn’t work out there.
Bledsoe for gorgui dieng. Bledsoe would come off the bench, but he would be a monster in Minnesota
Whoever they trade him for the GM Ryan McDont Do It needs to go. They don’t have a plan or clue to a plan.
I think you guys are in lala land… Bledsoe’s value is Nerlens Noel’s last year. And he comes w/a not so attractive contract, not a rookie deal.
Cavs – Bledsoe & Chandler
Suns – Shumpert & Thompson
Dump for Dump
Okafor ain’t going anywhere for the time being. And no one is trading anything of real value. Get that through your heads.
Suns want youth. They will wait it out.
Finaly Bucks The best club for Bledsoe!!!!!!!
Suns have no leverage, they’re the team paying a player to stay at home.
Suns already have a point guard on injured reserve in Brandon Knight, they won’t take Thomas unsure of when he’ll be available. They’ll keep Zizac because he has potential and Tristan Thompson is overpaid! Osman comes from Europe. He really should be in the G League! For Zizac, beany_boy is right.
Yes I doubt Cavs are in it. ‘s ‘K
I don’t know why the Suns sent Bledsoe home.
He held out on his contract. He’s under contract now. This hurts his value. Contenders don’t need character problems, especially those who have knee problems every other year for half a season!