Eric Bledsoe Requests a Trade – Possible Scenarios

Eric Bledsoe is a great NBA point guard who creates shots for himself and the rest of his team. He is an above average defender and rebounder for a guard and reminds a lot of people of Lebron James and Russell Westbrook. Unfortunately for Bledsoe, he’s been stuck on a team forcing him to tone down his play in the favor of their picks. With Bledsoe finally speaking out against the organization like many players (Goran Dragic and both Morris twins) had in the past, a trade is sure to be done by the end of the week.

There have been a couple of teams who have been reported to have interest, but no advanced talks have begun yet. The four teams I’m using are the Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and Denver Nuggets. I used the ESPN Trade Maker to check the eligibility of all of the moves, and three team trades are allowed. Enjoy!

Eric Bledsoe to the Los Angeles Clippers

With Deandre Jordan tweeting, “Come Back Home Bro,” there is at least a little bit of mutual interest between the Clippers and Bledsoe. With Teodosic out and Beverley playing shooting guard at times on offense, Bledsoe fits seamlessly in with his old team.

Suns Receive: Wesley Johnson (Clippers), Dante Exum (Jazz), 2019 First Round Pick (Jazz)

Clippers Receive: Eric Bledsoe (Suns)

Jazz Receive: Lou Williams (Clippers)

At first glance, this trade looks like a mess. The Clippers are parting ways with Lou Williams and the Suns are taking back someone who’s already been declared out for the season. Think about how much sense this makes though. The Suns are trying to be bad anyway so they don’t care if Exum is available to play this season, and the Jazz desperately needs scoring off the bench which Lou Williams supplies perfectly. Do I think this trade will happen? No. Do I think it should happen? Absolutely.

Eric Bledsoe to the Cleveland Cavaliers

Adding Eric Bledsoe to a roster with Isaiah Thomas, Lebron James, and Dwyane Wade may not make that much sense,  but the Cavs are the kings of just making it work. Even if they force him to the bench, Bledsoe would be happy being out of Phoenix alone. They wouldn’t be able to play this lineup for long periods at a time but imagine Isaiah Thomas, Eric Bledsoe, Dwyane Wade, Jae Crowder, and Lebron James playing together forming their own small lineup of death.

Suns Receive: Iman Shumpert, Ante Zizic, 2020 First Round Pick

Cavaliers Receive: Eric Bledsoe

The Suns would do anything to get something back for Bledsoe, even if that means taking back an uncoveted contract like that of Iman Shumpert. If they manage to acquire a first rounder and a young promising big man, the trade is a success.

Eric Bledsoe to the New York Knicks

The Knicks have been linked to Bledsoe for a long time now. With their new rebuilding mindset, I’m not sure if they’re still interested, but just in case they are, here’s a possibility.

Suns Receive: Frank Ntilikina, Joakim Noah, 2018 Top-3 Protected First Round Pick, 2019 Top-7 Protected First Round Pick

Knicks Receive: Eric Bledsoe

This trade is perfect. The Suns get Bledsoe’s replacement in Frank Ntilikina along with a small stash of valuable first rounders from the Knicks. In return, the Knicks get Joakim Noah’s contract off of the books, along with a legitimate NBA point guard to play alongside Kristaps Porzingis. The Knicks also have some security in case the move blows up with their pick protections. I really hope a move of this magnitude goes down.

Eric Bledsoe to the Denver Nuggets

Even though this may be the most rumored destination for Eric Bledsoe, I think it makes the least sense for all teams involved. Unless a third team is involved, Kenneth Faried will join the Phoenix Suns, which makes absolutely no sense for either of them.

Suns Receive: Tyus Jones (Timberwolves), Cole Aldrich (Timberwolves), 2018 First Round Pick (Nuggets), 2018 Second Round Pick (Timberwolves)

Nuggets Receive: Eric Bledsoe (Suns)

Timberwolves Receive: Kenneth Faried (Nuggets)

The Timberwolves give the trade a little bit more substance, however. Faried could be a great energy guy off of Minnesota’s bench or even take Taj Gibson’s spot in the starting lineup. The Suns acquire a couple of picks and a young, promising point guard in Tyus Jones. The Nuggets acquiring Eric Bledsoe would help them greatly on the defensive side of the floor, and just imagine the Jokic to Bledsoe lobs on the offensive side.