6:28pm: It turns out the third team involved in the Bledsoe/Jackson trade discussion was New Orleans. Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated writes that the Suns would have landed Detroit’s 2019 first-round pick, New Orleans’ 2018 first-round pick, Alexis Ajinca, and Omer Asik. Jackson would have gone to the Pelicans in that scenario. The talks are now “dead,” the report states.
2:25pm: According to Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders, the Pistons offered the Suns a package including Jackson and a first-round pick for Bledsoe.
12:06pm: If they make a deal with the Pistons, the Suns would prefer to get a third team involved to take Jackson, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
It makes sense that the rebuilding Suns wouldn’t want to absorb Jackson’s contract, which runs through 2019/20, but involving a third or fourth team typically makes trades more difficult to complete, so we’ll see if this goes anywhere.
11:39am: The Pistons should be added to the list of teams that have exhibited interest in disgruntled Suns point guard Eric Bledsoe, league sources tell Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link). However, Stein cautions (via Twitter) that for a deal to appeal to Phoenix, the Pistons would have to attach additional pieces to Reggie Jackson.
Shortly after Bledsoe publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with his situation in Phoenix a week and a half ago, the Suns sent him home and began aggressively seeking a trade. At that point, it seemed as if the Suns may resolve the situation quickly, but GM Ryan McDonough said this week that there’s no timetable for a Bledsoe deal, suggesting the team isn’t rushing to get something done.
Reports last week indicated that the Nuggets and Bucks might be the most likely landing spots for Bledsoe, but Jamal Murray and Emmanuel Mudiay have played well lately for Denver, and Malcolm Brogdon – whom the Suns would reportedly target – is off to a good start in Milwaukee. As such, the Suns may be looking to engage other teams in trade discussions.
The Pistons would be an interesting trade partner. It’s worth noting that the Suns were said to have expressed “strong” interest in Andre Drummond back in June. Jake Fischer of SI.com, who initially reported Phoenix’s interest in Drummond, tweeted today that Bledsoe’s name was part of those discussions as well.
For what it’s worth, Detroit has been linked to multiple point guard trade candidates over the course of the year, including Kyrie Irving in August and Ricky Rubio back in January. Those rumors never led to anything real, so it’s possible Stan Van Gundy and the Pistons are just doing their due diligence again here. However, the fact that they’ve kicked the tires on so many other point guards may also suggest they’re open to moving on from Jackson.
After enjoying a career year in 2015/16, Jackson struggled through an injury-plagued 2016/17 campaign. He’s off to a good start this season, averaging 16.4 PPG and 6.0 APG through eight games.
Makes sense the team doesn’t want Jackson. After next year when Bledsoe’s and Chandler’s deals are off the books they will have cap room for two max contract free agents. Adding Jackson would interfere with that plan.
Suns turned down Kyrie and Milsap. Want to get rid of Bledsoe and Chandler although Chandler wants to stay. They really do want youth. Sam Hinkie would be a perfect GM here!
Bledsoe to the Bucks could really make things a bit more interesting in the East.
One would think, with the Bucks having Kidd as their head coach, that would put Bledsoe a bit at ease, knowing he has a head coach that he admires and respects.
Also, if I’m the Bucks, I wouldn’t be able to trade Brogdon fast enough for Bledsoe. Bledsoe is a PG that could potentially work extremely well with The Greek Freak…Those two running a pick and roll together, would put a good amount of pressure on opposing team’s defenses…Not to mention, Bledsoe would also be able to play off the ball, allowing Giannis to run some PF, and it would add another scoring threat on the floor for the Bucks, instead of Brogdon…
Bledsoe isn’t quite an All-Star, but he does everything pretty well. He’s a definite upgrade over Brogdon, and he would allow more flexibility for the Bucks roster. He can hit the 3 fairly well, he can drive and penetrate, and while doing so, he can either pass off after having the defense close in or he can finish around the rim…
I mean, if you are the Bucks, and you want to take that next step from the #5-#6 spot in the East, to competing for a top spot now, you have to get this deal done…If not, the Bucks will finish around the #4-#5 spot, and they will be making either a first or second round exit…Giannis and Middleton need some help, and that help isn’t coming from Brogdon anytime soon…
And that PF stands for Point Forward, not Power Forward…I’m not even sure if the Poward Forward position still even exists anymore in today’s NBA…Well, unless your name is Taj Gibson and Mr. Old School Tom T is your head coach. The power forward position will always still exist while he’s still coaching…lol
Problem is Bucks prefer young players on rookie contracts over disgruntled problem children with extensive injury histories making over $15 million a year, and being over the cap. Brogdon is a young promising player the Bucks like, just like the Suns like Josh Jackson and Devin Booker! Brogdan is getting 15 ppg like Bledsoe got his first 3 games and has been the Bucks 2nd option!