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Should The Suns Trade Eric Bledsoe For A Draft Pick?

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 21, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe reacts in the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Blazers 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe reacts in the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Blazers 118-113. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phoenix Suns
Mar 19, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin (20) and guard Eric Bledsoe (2) against the New Orleans Pelicans at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Is It Already Time To Start Over?

Trading Bledsoe now would be waving the white flag on what general manager Ryan McDonough has been building since he first arrived in Phoenix. There’s nothing wrong with admitting to making mistakes, but is it already time to give up on a very good two-way player who was the Suns’ best player last year? Are we sure we’ve seen the best he has to offer?

As currently constructed, the Suns are not a playoff team. Even if Bledsoe and Markieff Morris both take another step forward this season, and even if younger guys like Alex Len, Brandon Knight, T.J. Warren and Archie Goodwin show drastic signs of growing up, Phoenix will be little more than a team competing for one of the last three playoff spots in the Western Conference.

But isn’t it fair to say this team is one blockbuster trade or free agency acquisition away from having a very bright future? Patience is not at the forefront of fans’ minds after five straight seasons of missing the playoffs, but the Suns have assembled a decent blend of young talent that needs time to be cultivated.

I don’t think Bledsoe has reached his full potential, and though the Suns face the tough task of rebuilding from the NBA’s dreaded middle ground, teams like the Houston Rockets have proven that it is possible by stockpiling assets and putting them to use when a star becomes available.

Trading Bledsoe would be a big risk, putting faith in an unproven rookie on a team without any veteran leadership. That’s quite a gamble and it pales in comparison to the kind of success Houston found with the James Harden trade. Every team’s path to relevance is different, of course, but are the Suns really ready for another unexpected loop in getting there?

Next: Knight In Shining Armor?

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