The Phoenix Suns continue to put the future of Eric Bledsoe into question. Last season, the point guard was the big free agent signing for the team after getting a five-year, $70 million contract. That supposedly locked him up as the franchise point guard, until the Suns acquired Brandon Knight and have opted to give him a massive contract in free agency this offseason which could push a trade of Bledsoe.
According to the Racine Journal Times, the Suns have officially signed Knight to a five-year, $70 million contract. The contract is a gamble for the Suns as Knight is coming off a strong year in Milwaukee, but struggled after the Phoenix trade and is still a relatively unknown talent. Regardless, the Suns are showing full commitment in the point guard and less commitment in Bledsoe.
Prior to the NBA Draft, Bledsoe was the subject of numerous trade rumors as the Suns were seeking a move up the board. However, none of them worked out and Bledsoe stayed put. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, Bledsoe is once again up for trade offers, but the Suns will need to lower their expectations of what they receive in return considering draft picks are going to be secondary in the packages.
There are teams that could look at Bledsoe, the Knicks being one of them. Yes, Phil Jackson has told the media that New York is fine at the point guard position with Langston Galloway, Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant. However, Bledsoe is an upgrade over all of them. According to ESPN's Ian Begley, the Knicks have been heavily interested in Bledsoe, especially during the draft, the issue is putting together a package now without that No.4 pick to entice the Suns. The Knicks do not have a lot of assets they can hand over that would win them Bledsoe.
The team that really stands a chance at getting a deal done could be the Houston Rockets. Patrick Beverley is a restricted free agent and according to ESPN's Chris Broussard he is getting interest from several teams including the Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks. There is a good chance Houston misses out on LaMarcus Aldridge who is getting wined and dined by the San Antonio Spurs. James Harden still wants a star player on the roster and according to the Houston Chroncle, it could be Bledsoe who would fill the shoes of Beverley. Trevor Ariza and Terrence Jones are being dangled in trade packages that could win Phoenix over.
The Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings could be options for the trade, but they both lack assets they are willing to give up. Phoenix's best bet could be to call Houston and see how badly they want a big name on the roster.
