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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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Eric Bledsoe
Mar 21, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard D’Angelo Russell (0) sits on the bench before the game against the Arizona Wildcats in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Who Would The Suns Take?

Let’s assume the Suns pull the trigger on this deal and the Knicks are picking for Phoenix at No. 4 (the deal can’t be completed until after the draft for salary cap reasons). Who should they be targeting, assuming Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor are off the board since they almost certainly will be by pick No. 4?

That might depend on McDonough’s feelings about dual point guard systems after his point guard hydra got two of its three heads chopped off last season and nothing grew back. The most obvious candidate is D’Angelo Russell, an enticing combo guard from Ohio State with great court vision and smooth scoring ability.

He could have the potential to be a franchise player, but that phrase seems to be thrown around about every player projected in the top six or seven slots this year.

But since Russell might not even be available at No. 4, and since McDonough may have soured on the prospect of playing two point guards together after last season, the Suns would need backup plans in a potential Bledsoe trade.

Emmanuel Mudiay is a physically gifted guard with exceptional skills and maturity for a 19-year-old. Like Russell, he could be taken anywhere from No. 2 through No. 6. But after playing his last season overseas, a lot of teams will be basing his draft stock on limited workouts and YouTube clips. Is it wrong to be reminded of Dante Exum‘s disappointing rookie season when dissecting Mudiay’s potential?

Just because the Suns trade their starting point guard doesn’t mean they need to draft another one, however. Kristaps Porzingis would be a tantalizing option for McDonough, especially if he’s leaning toward locating a blockbuster deal for the Morris twins to try and land another star.

Porzingis blew people away at his workout in Las Vegas, he’s a 6’11” power forward with three-point range and he’s extremely versatile in his skills on both ends of the floor. He has superstar potential and you wouldn’t be wrong for wondering if he’s the franchise star this team needs, even if the Dirk Nowitzki comparisons are a bit strong.

Although he’s a wing, Mario Hezonja also possesses superstar potential as a three-point threat with explosive leaping ability. Though he’s considered a bit of a hothead, the promise of stardom would outweigh any positional overlap issues if McDonough believes he’s the best available player in this hypothetical scenario.

We could also mention Willie Cauley-Stein since he’ll most likely wind up being the best defensive player in this year’s draft class.

As you can see, the Suns would have plenty of options if they were to trade Eric Bledsoe for the No. 4 pick, both of the traditional lineup and dual point guard backcourt variety. The question would be selecting the best option to become a future face of the franchise to make Bledsoe’s departure worth it.

Next: The Verdict

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