Eric Bledsoe talks trade rumors, upcoming season on ‘The Jump’

When Kyrie Irving asked to be traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe’s name was brought up in trade rumors. 

In addition to rumors of him landing in Cleveland, the New York Knicks inquired about him in July. The Denver Nuggets and Suns also talked about swapping Bledsoe for Emmanuel Mudiay and the No. 13 pick in the draft.

But Bledsoe remained in a Suns uniform and told ESPN’s “The Jump” on Thursday he recognizes the NBA is a business.

“It’s something I cannot control,” Bledsoe said. “What I can control is getting out there, playing my heart out for whatever team I am on. I am on the Phoenix Suns. You know I just gotta keep getting better every year. At least somebody want me, that means I am in the NBA.”

Bledsoe has said numerous times publicly that Lebron James and him are close friends. As a result, having his name linked to Cleveland should have come as no surprise.

At the age of 27, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Bledsoe has entered the prime of his career. The seven-year pro told “The Jump” panel of Rachel Nichols, Ramona Shelburne and Stephen Jackson he is ready to win.

At the same time, Bledsoe said he knows he has a young team this season and asked James for leadership advice.

“I talked to him, even when the season started,” Bledsoe said. “I asked him for advice, how to help lead these guys. I am young myself and entering the prime of my career. No matter what team I am on, I wanna win.

“I have high expectations every year I step on the court. I’ve never had low expectations for myself or the team I am playing for. We have a goal of making the playoffs, and I am going to stick to that.”