The Phoenix Suns may look at an Eric Bledsoe trade this year after signing back Brandon Knight in free agency and teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, NY Knicks, Boston Celtics, La Lakers and Houston Rockets could be options depending on how the season goes and this comes as the Suns have also signed Tyson Chandler in free agency.
The Suns shopped Eric Bledsoe at the NBA draft and did not get a deal done and reports had the Knicks, Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets as potential landing spots. According to Sean Deveney of the Sporting News, the Suns offered Bledsoe to the Knicks for the fourth overall draft pick, but a deal did not come close to happening. Deveney added that if a deal did not happen, the team would "continue" to shop Bledsoe this offseason.
The Suns and head coach Jeff Hornacek came out to say that the team is not trading Bledsoe, but the team made statements like that last year about Goran Dragic as well. Either way, Bledsoe likely will be trade bait at the deadline this season, as he is on a five year contract worth $70 million and that is what the team just spent on Knight to bring him back. Deveney later reported that the Kings are likely to "express interest" in Bledsoe this offseason, but that came ahead of the team signing Rajon Rondo.
The Kings could be in the mix since Rondo is only on a one year deal, but right now a deal is looking unlikely for Sacramento. The Dallas Mavericks have lost DeAndre Jordan in free agency and that could change things for the team, as they had hoped to bring Jordan in on a four year contract. Jordan went back on his verbal agreement and now is heading back to the Clippers and that could force the Mavericks to look at other deals.
The team was reportedly close to signing Jeremy Lin to a deal, but he is reportedly signing with the Charlotte Hornets. The Mavs wanted to sign Patrick Beverley, but he is back with the Rockets and now the team could at least consider making another move. ESPN's Marc Stein reported that the Suns could trade Bledsoe with Knight coming back, but so far the team has not come close to making a deal. Bledsoe was the last man standing among Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas last season and he averaged 17 points and six assists per game for Phoenix.
The Suns have been active in free agency this summer, as they have brought in Tyson Chandler on a deal and also signed back Knight. The team was right in the mix with LaMarcus Aldridge and they reportedly are talking with the Cavaliers about a trade for Brendan Haywood. Adding Chandler was a strong move, as he is one of the best defensive bigs in the league and if he is healthy, he can be productive on both sides of the court. Chandler reportedly has a $40 million deal and Knight is signing a five year extension with the team after being acquired last season.
Check here for more on Bledsoe and a potential trade and interest from the Kings.
