PHOENIX SUNS

McDonough: A chance Bledsoe has played his last game with Suns

Oct 23, 2017, 1:06 PM | Updated: 1:18 pm

(AP Photo/Matt York)...

(AP Photo/Matt York)

(AP Photo/Matt York)

PHOENIX — The statement was brief. Only five words.

But in those five words, point guard Eric Bledsoe made clear his feelings about his time with the Phoenix Suns.

“I Dont wanna be here,” he tweeted Sunday afternoon.

Among the many people who saw and read the tweet was Suns general manager Ryan McDonough.

“You guys saw his tweet last night,” he said. “I gave him a call last night and asked him about that tweet just to clarify what he meant by it and he said he was at a hair salon. It wasn’t about the Suns or anything related to the Suns. He said he was at a hair salon with his girl and he didn’t want to be there anymore.

“I don’t believe that to be true.”

A Sunday evening call was followed by a Monday morning meeting with Bledsoe at Talking Stick Resort Arena prior to shootaround, according to McDonough. Interim head coach Jay Triano was also included in that conversation. And after discussing the situation further with managing partner Robert Sarver, the Suns sent Bledsoe home.

It was a decision, McDonough said, that was “best for the organization, so he won’t be with us going forward.”

Asked specifically if Bledsoe had played his last game in a Suns uniform, McDonough answered, “I don’t know that yet. I think there’s a chance he has.”

Teams have already started calling the Suns about a possible trade for Bledsoe, who McDonough admitted had requested to be traded before the season started.

Bledsoe is in his fifth season with the Suns, averaging 15.7 points and 3.0 assists through three games.

Any team that might require the 27-year-old would have his services for all of this season and next, when Bledsoe is due to make $15 million in the last year of a five-year, $70 million contract.

“This is a reset. This is a turning of the page,” McDonough said, explaining further why Bledsoe was sent home. “As we try to change the culture and build a foundation that’s sustainable for long-term success, we didn’t want him to be a distraction.”

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.

13 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.

18 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.

2 days 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

McDonough: A chance Bledsoe has played his last game with Suns