The Phoenix Suns could consider an Eric Bledsoe trade this offseason to the LA Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, NY Knicks, Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics or Miami Heat after the team tried to sign free agent LaMarcus Aldridge and it comes after the team brought in Tyson Chandler and re-signed Brandon Knight in free agency.
The Suns have been active this offseason and they brought in Tyson Chandler on a big agreement and also agreed with Knight on a five-year, $70 million deal. The Suns shopped Bledsoe at the NBA draft and reports have the team pulling back on a trade if the team doesn't sign Aldridge. According to Yahoo Sports, Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Suns played themselves into the mix for Aldridge with a strong free agent presentation and they could surprise and offer him a max deal. UPDATE: Aldridge has signed with the san Antonio Spurs. Check here for more.
The team would have to make some more moves after clearing some salary in a trade with the detroit Pistons and that could include Bledsoe. The Suns signed Bledsoe last year to a five year deal like Knight's and many expected the team to build around him, Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas. Instead, Dragic's situation heading into free agency became an issue and he was traded to Miami, while Thomas was moved to the Celtics.
It appeared the team would be keeping Bledsoe and building around him, but the Suns also acquired Knight in a trade and now he is locked in for five years. The team reportedly offered the Knicks a deal with Bledsoe, as Sean Deveney in the Sporting News reported that the deal would have included the fourth overall pick and Phoenix's first round pick. Deveney reported that the team would "continue" looking for deals if Bledsoe was not traded before the draft.
Bledsoe had a strong season and if the Suns sign Aldridge, they could try and keep him, but it's more likely he gets traded. Aldridge is picking between the Spurs, Suns and Blazers and his decision could come this weekend. Bledsoe is an option for teams like the Knicks and Lakers after they did not sign Rajon Rondo or Patrick Beverley, as Jeremy Lin is one of the notable players left on the market at point guard. The Rockets likely will not pull off the deal after bringing back Beverley and the Kings were reportedly interested but now they are out after signing Rondo.
The deal for Chandler is for four years and over $50 million and he could carve a nice spot for himself in Phoenix even if the team doesn't get Aldridge or Roy Hibbert. Alex Len is not ready to take over yet and now Chandler cane come in and if he stays healthy, he could be huge for Phoenix trying to get back to the playoffs. Chandler averaged 10 points and 11 rebounds last season in 75 games and if he comes near that for the Suns, he will be in good shape.
The Knicks could remain interested in Bledsoe, but a deal is unlikely now. The Suns have Knight and may continue to shop Bledsoe and a team like the Celtics could be an option with the draft picks and cap space they have. The Mavericks could be in the mix after signing DeAndre Jordan and missing on Patrick Beverley.
