An eventful year on NBA Twitter continued on Sunday, as Suns point guard Eric Bledsoe posted a tweet this afternoon that simply read, “I don’t wanna be here.” Bledsoe’s tweet comes in the wake of an awful to start the season for Phoenix, with the club losing its first three games by an average margin of 30.7 points per contest.
While Bledsoe’s tweet lacks context, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 helps provide that context, tweeting that the veteran guard wants to be moved, and will be moved at some point. Gambadoro adds that he spoke to Bledsoe earlier today and isn’t surprised that the 27-year-old has made his dissatisfaction public. Gambadoro also hears that Suns owner Robert Sarver will meet with head coach Earl Watson later today (Twitter link).
Bledsoe, who began his career with the Clippers, has been with the Suns since the 2013/14 campaign. The team had a great year in his first season in Phoenix, winning 48 games, but fell shy of the postseason that spring and has seen its win total crater since then. The Suns explored the possibility of adding an impact veteran in the offseason, but ultimately opted to remain patient with their rebuild, drafting Josh Jackson and making only modest investments in free agency.
Entering the year with the NBA’s youngest roster, Phoenix has lost multiple games by more than 40 points in the season’s first week, so it would hardly be a surprise if Bledsoe is indeed seeking a trade. The point guard was the subject of trade rumors earlier this year, with his name coming up frequently when the Suns were said to be exploring a possible trade for Kyrie Irving, but he stayed put through the offseason.
As Bobby Marks of ESPN notes (Twitter links), the NBA has the ability to fine a player for a “public statement detrimental to the NBA,” and fined Markieff Morris $10K two years ago when Morris publicly demanded a trade. Bledsoe’s tweet leaves some room for interpretation, so it will be interesting to see if the NBA responds.