Report: Suns eye Malcolm Brogdon as Bucks mull trading for Eric Bledsoe
Oct 26, 2017, 12:50 PM | Updated: 3:36 pm
The Milwaukee Bucks were one of the three teams that reportedly have discussed acquiring disgruntled Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe, and according to the Racine Journal Times’ Gery Woelfel, a potential trade has the Suns focused in on point guard Malcolm Brogdon.
“Several NBA sources” told Woelfel that Brogdon is the major part of a potential trade.
The 24-year-old spent four years at Virginia and after being drafted 36th overall in 2016 won the Rookie of the Year honor by averaging 10.2 points, 4.2 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game.
According to the report, Phoenix would likely accept a return for Bledsoe that includes Brogdon, and either 26-year-old forward John Henson or one-time Suns sharpshooter Mirza Teletovic. On a rookie deal, Brogdon is making $1.3 million this season, so Henson ($11.4 million) or Teletovic ($10.5 million) would be needed to be included for Milwaukee to acquire Bledsoe’s contract that pays out $14.5 million this season.
Woelfel reports the Bucks are reluctant to deal Brogdon but are dangling fellow point guard Matthew Dellavedova, who averaged 7.6 points and 4.7 assists last year.
“The Suns are balking and appear adamant on wanting Brogdon,” writes Woelfel.
Two NBA officials told the reporter that the Bucks and Nuggets — who reportedly have put 21-year-old point guard Emmanuel Mudiay on the table — are the leaders to land Bledsoe. Woelfel adds that the Clippers, Celtics and Heat have “internally tossed around the idea of acquiring Bledsoe.”
Brogdon has averaged 16 points, 3.7 assists and two steals in three games this season. He’s shooting 47 percent overall and 50 percent from three while taking nearly five deep attempts per game.
A foot injury suffered in college hurt Brogdon’s draft stock, but he’s so far shown no signs of problems. As a rookie, the 6-foot-5, 215-pound point guard proved valuable as a shooter, defender and play-maker next to Milwaukee’s rising star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and swingman Khris Middleton.
Visiting with the Burns & Gambo show on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station Wednesday, Suns general manager Ryan McDonough said he was not necessarily requiring a trade return to include a young point guard. That said, the Suns would seemingly need a point guard of the future.
As is, Mike James, a 27-year-old rookie on a two-way contract, has performed well in two games as a starter with second-year pro Tyler Ulis backing him up.
