The Detroit Pistons joined the race for Phoenix Suns point guard Eric Bledsoe. According to Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders, the Pistons offered guard Reggie Jackson and a first-round draft pick to the Suns for Bledsoe. Scotto confirmed the earlier report by Marc Stein of the New York Times, saying that the Pistons were interested in Bledsoe. Stein said the Suns are open to the trade, depending on what the Pistons would attach to Jackson. The 27-year-old Bledsoe declared publicly that he wanted out of the Suns by tweeting “I don’t wanna be here” following a 0-3 start.

However, Bledsoe claimed that he was in a hair salon with his wife when he posted the tweet. Suns general manager Ryan McDonough said the front office did not believe Bledsoe’s claim, adding that the point guard “won't be with us going forward.” In his three games with the Suns this season, Bledsoe averaged 15.7 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per outing. Jackson, for his part, averaged 16.4 points, 6.0 dimes and 4.3 boards in eight appearances with the Pistons.

Suns not in a hurry to trade Bledsoe

The Pistons were the latest team to express interest in Bledsoe. Earlier, the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and the Milwaukee Bucks inquired about Bledsoe.

However, the three teams did not pursue Bledsoe due to the steep asking price by the Suns. The Suns were asking Frank Ntilikina and Willy Hernangomez from the Knicks for Bledsoe while they were eyeing reigning Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon from the Milwaukee Bucks. Phoenix wanted to reel in the Cavaliers 2018 first-round pick, which they acquired from the Boston Celtics via the Kyrie Irving trade.

However, McDonough said the Suns are not in a hurry to trade Bledsoe, saying they are waiting for the best offer, per Scott Bordow of AZCentral.com.

Suns doing well without Bledsoe

The Suns are now doing well even without Bledsoe. On Wednesday, they tallied a come-from-behind 122-116 win over the Washington Wizards behind a career-best 40 points by TJ Warren.

Warren also added 10 boards, Devin Booker had 22 points and Mike James chipped in 10 as the Suns improved to 4-1 under interim coach Jay Triano. During that stretch, the Suns also defeated the Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, and the Sacramento Kings. Against the Wizards, the Suns trailed by as many as 22 points but recovered behind Warren’s 28 points in the second half. The Suns will next play the New York Knicks Friday.
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