The Phoenix Suns will have to keep Eric Bledsoe for a while as two prospective trade partners are no longer pursuing talks for the 27-year-old point guard. The Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks both expressed interest in acquiring Bledsoe but changed their mind due to the steep price that the Suns are asking. According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, the Cavaliers are currently not in on Bledsoe as the trade doesn’t make sense for them. The Cavaliers have a deep backcourt and the imminent return of Isaiah Thomas and Derrick Rose will create a logjam.
Also, the Cavaliers don’t have enough assets that the Suns may want in exchange for Bledsoe. The Cavaliers expressed interest in trading Kyrie Irving to the Suns for Bledsoe and rookie Josh Jackson but Phoenix did not give in. LeBron James and Bledsoe are close friends and they share the same agent. James and Bledsoe also trained together this summer and share an interest in playing together at some point in their careers.
The Suns placed Bledsoe on the trading block after he publicly asked to be traded following an 0-3 start. After Bledsoe was sent home, the Suns won two of their last three games, improving their record to 2-4.
Knicks not keen on parting with young players
The Knicks also pulled out from talks as the Suns were eyeing members of their young corps for Bledsoe.
According to Dane Carbaugh of NBC Sports, the Suns asked for Frank Ntilikina and Willy Hernangomez in exchange for Bledsoe. The Knicks then rebuffed the Suns’ request, saying they are committed to their young players even if Bledsoe provides the team with an instant spark on offense alongside Kristaps Porzingis. According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, new Knicks general manager Scott Perry is aware that it will take a while to rebuild the franchise but a trade for Bledsoe, who has some red flags, will not help.
Bucks reject Bledsoe-for-Brogdon trade
While the Milwaukee Bucks are interested in acquiring Bledsoe, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today reported that they are not willing to give up reigning Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon to the Suns. Zillgitt said the Bucks are willing to take in Bledsoe but they don’t want to involve Brogdon in the deal.
This season, Brogdon is averaging 15.8 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.5 rebounds for the Bucks. In three games with the Suns this season, Bledsoe averaged 15.7 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per outing.
