PHOENIX SUNS

Eric Bledsoe trade talks heat up after Suns send guard home

Oct 24, 2017, 10:13 AM | Updated: 11:44 am

Follow @kzimmermanaz...

LISTEN: Empire of the Suns

Upon the Phoenix Suns sending point guard Eric Bledsoe home on Monday, and following a cryptic tweet sent out Sunday just before the team fired coach Earl Watson, trade talks began to fire up.

Still, the Suns are struggling to find value in the market. Specifically, Phoenix is searching for young players to land in any deal.

Bledsoe was not expected to suit up for Phoenix again, and John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station said a few teams were in pursuit of the 28-year-old guard.

Basketball Insiders’ Michael Scotto reports the Denver Nuggets have discussed a trade with Phoenix involving young point guard Emmanuel Mudiay and Kenneth Faried.

The teams had already discussed a similar deal on draft day.

The Milwaukee Bucks have also had conversations with the Suns, The New York Times’ Marc Stein reports.

A straight swap of veteran big man Greg Monroe, whose $17.9 million per year contract is expiring, would work. So would the inclusion of 26-year-old big man John Henson and another smaller contract for Bledsoe.

The New York Knicks also reached out to Phoenix, reports ESPN’s Ian Begley. Basketball Insiders’ Michael Scotto reports the Suns asked for rookie point guard Frank Ntilikina and big man Willy Hernangomez in exchange for Bledsoe, but ESPN’s Ian Begley confirmed the interest and added that New York is opposed to dealing either player.

Phoenix would be required to take on a significant amount of additional salary to acquire those two players on their rookie deals.

A trade with New York would reunite Bledsoe with former Suns coach Jeff Hornacek.

Phoenix and New York were reportedly in talks regarding Kristaps Porzingis prior to the NBA Draft, and while their star is unlikely to be involved, the Knicks have since — via the Carmelo Anthony trade — acquired several more smaller contracts they could patch together and ship to the Suns.

Bledsoe is averaging 15.7 points, 3.0 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game so far in 2017-18. He is shooting 40 percent and 31 percent from three-point range through three outings.

Phoenix Suns

Isaiah Thomas...

Dan Bickley

Isaiah Thomas signing is a wild swing for Suns in desperate times

Isaiah Thomas is a born fighter. He’s beaten the odds. The chip on his shoulder is permanent. It’s easy to rally around a player like him.

10 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Are the Phoenix Suns superstars done with Frank Vogel?

On Monday's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley asks the question if the Suns' superstars have had bad body language recently and if it's because they want Frank Vogel gone.

15 hours ago

Dalton Knecht, Tennessee...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should be watching during March Madness

The Phoenix Suns are slated to have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and they could select one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

1 day ago

Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Footp...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Josh Okogie out for matchup vs. Bucks, Antetokounmpo also out

Phoenix Suns' Josh Okogie is out for Sunday's game against the Bucks. Okogie has missed the past seven games with a lower abdominal strain.

2 days ago

Isaiah Thomas...

Damon Allred

Isaiah Thomas to return to Suns on 10-day contract, per report

Nearly two years since his last NBA minutes, point guard Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

2 days ago

Eric Bledsoe trade talks heat up after Suns send guard home