Midseason report card with second half expectations

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 14: Teammates Elfrid Payton
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 14: Teammates Elfrid Payton
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Eric Bledsoe

PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 20: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 20, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 20: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 20, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

When Eric Bledsoe said “I don’t wanna be here”, many Suns fans in turn said “we don’t want you here.” Thus ended the four and a smidge year relationship between the Phoenix Suns and Eric Bledsoe, one that had a few good times, although zero playoff appearances, thus making his tenure an absolute disappointment.

Had Bledose kept his mouth shut (and Ryan McDonough not publicly over-reacted about it – in my opinion), Bledose would likely have been eventually traded and McDonough likely would have got a lot more in return than just a protected first round pick and an expiring contract in Greg Monroe.

But, what happened, happened, and Bledsoe was suspended and eventually traded and there is nothing anyone can do about it. In the end, for as much grief as the Suns have gotten in recent years because of players leaving the franchise upset, Phoenix had no reason to trade him before they needed to and his forcing their hand likely screwed them out of a lot of additional value in return.

Grade: D+