Valley of the Suns
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What’s the rush to get rid of Bledsoe?

By Drew Zlogar

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 05: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns reacts to a three point shot against the Boston Celtics during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on March 5, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Celtics 109-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 05: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns reacts to a three point shot against the Boston Celtics during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on March 5, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Celtics 109-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The 2017 offseason has been one to remember for NBA fans.

Whether your team benefitted from a move or not, there has been top headline-snatching traces and free agency acquisitions all across the league that have dramatically changed the Conference landscape.

The most recent headline is the uncertainty of where Kyrie Irving can end up. The point guard’s trade request of a few weeks ago has teams like the Phoenix Suns chomping at the bit to try and lure him in.

For Phoenix, one of the main players that would be apart of the deal would be Eric Bledsoe going to join up with LeBron James in Cleveland. Yet through this entire process, I have wondered why would the Suns want to trade Bledsoe?

The 27-year-old just had a career year for the Suns, and actually stayed healthy! One of the biggest knocks on the Kentucky-product since he has been in the league has been his unreliability to stay on the floor. However this past season Bledsoe averaged over 21 ppg, over 6apg, and almost 5rpg, all numbers well above his career averages. The tandem of him and Booker showed Suns fans glimpses of what could be a large window of complimenting each other well. If he is going to start a mid-career trend of being able to stay healthy, who is to say that the Suns should even WANT  Kyrie?

Backed in a corner, the Cavaliers have been requesting ridiculous trades to try and dump Irving, like requesting players like Booker, Chriss, Jackson and even multiple first round picks.

I think it is a good thing that no deal has been made. With the youth that the Suns have already on the roster, the amount of insanely-valuable draft picks they have coming, and a borderline superstar in Booker leading the charge, it might actually be smart to roll with Bledsoe.

Bledsoe gives you consistency when he is on the floor. He will run the ball up the floor at will, he will slice and dice to the rack with superior aggression for his size, and he will guard the opposing ball-handler 94 feet all night – something Kyrie Irving can’t do whatsoever.

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Say what you want, but I think the Kentucky connection that is alive in Phoenix means something. Having seasoned players like Bledsoe and Knight showing the way for the youngsters Booker and Ulis is smart. There is an automatic sense of brotherhood and respect, and from four players all at different points in their careers, they all can feed off each other and continue learning. It’s a little detail, understood, but for a team that is in full rebuild mode still, why break up something as crucially important as chemistry?

I get it, when there is a star PG like Kyrie Irving that is potentially open to joining your team, the first thought is to do whatever it takes to bring him in. But with the Suns already having a star of their own in Devin Booker, and promising players surrounding him starting with a seemingly healthy, and explosive, Eric Bledsoe, maybe they shouldn’t make a move at all.

For more follow Drew on Twitter @Drew_Zlogar

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