PHOENIX SUNS

Suns GM on Bledsoe’s actions: ‘That’s the opposite of what a leader does’

Oct 25, 2017, 3:32 PM | Updated: 4:25 pm

Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough answers a question during an NBA basketball media day M...

Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough answers a question during an NBA basketball media day Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

LISTEN: Ryan McDonough, Suns GM

Following an eventful 48 hours that saw his head coach Earl Watson fired and his star point guard Eric Bledsoe demand a trade, Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough joined 98.7 FM’s Bickley & Marotta to discuss the transpiring events.

McDonough was asked about Bledsoe’s tweet from Sunday that read “I Dont wanna be here,” a tweet in which Bledsoe claimed he was at a hair salon when he spoke with McDonough that night.

Bledsoe was sent home by the team and would not play in the team’s win over the Sacramento Kings Monday.

“I was certainly surprised by it and disappointed by it,” McDonough said. “I think Eric’s a good person and I think he’s unfortunately gotten some bad advice and is listening to the wrong people.”

McDonough spoke on the contractual agreement Bledsoe has with the team, with two years remaining on his five-year, $70 million contract.

“Generally, anytime you sign a contract it doesn’t only work one way, it works both ways. For a guy with years on his contract to say or intimate that he didn’t want to be here anymore — I didn’t find that to be appropriate.

“He says he wants to be a leader — that’s the opposite of what a leader does and the opposite of what leadership is.”

When asked whether or not Bledsoe being shut down by the team last year played a factor in his thought process, McDonough once again deferred to his contractual obligation.

“He was certainly hurt by getting shut down last year and we understand that and respect that,” McDonough said.

“At the same time, it’s a new year, he has multiple years left on his contract. I talked to Eric, met with him a couple of times before the season started, and he said he was excited about our group, excited to play with the young guys and thought we had a good thing going here.

“Just my opinion — the shift comes from contractual demands made from his representatives.”

John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station reported that Bledsoe had asked for a trade before the start of the season.

McDonough joined 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Burns & Gambo Wednesday and said Bledsoe was eligible for a contract extension with two years left on his deal and Bledsoe and his representatives were seeking out a contract extension this past offseason.

“With two years left on his contract we did not think that was something that made sense for the team and we told Eric and his representatives that that was something that we were potentially open to discussing next summer with one year left on his deal,” McDonough said. “And I guess they didn’t like that answer and took kind of a hostile approach and kinda shut down and distanced themselves from the team and I think that’s where the approach came from.”

The general manager said there were a few teams in particular that were being aggressive for Bledsoe in trade negotiations.

Bledsoe will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019.

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

13 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

17 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

20 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

Suns GM on Bledsoe’s actions: ‘That’s the opposite of what a leader does’