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Eric Bledsoe News: Minnesota Timberwolves Offer Max Deal

By Michael Dunlap

Mar 28, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) stands on the court during the second quarter against the New York Knicks at US Airways Center. The Suns won 112-88. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) stands on the court during the second quarter against the New York Knicks at US Airways Center. The Suns won 112-88. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Eric Bledsoe news of the day is actually quite significant, as the Minnesota Timberwolves have offered a max deal in the range of $63 million over four years. The Phoenix Suns hold all the cards and still control Bledsoe’s destiny (at least for the next season), but it’s something that the Suns should take very seriously and should consider. What kind of deal could the Suns get for Bledsoe?

There’s no question that the Suns would want to get some future value in the deal in the form of draft compensation as well as players that could help next season, but the Wolves aren’t going to be letting any of their top talent go. This kind of offer shows that the Wolves are serious about trying to compete sooner rather than later — otherwise they could roll the dice and wait until the offseason to throw that kind of deal at Bledsoe.

Phoenix would surely jump at the chance to get a talent like Andrew Wiggins, but that’s not going to happen. Without delving too deeply into the NBA Trade Machine to see how deals would pan out, the Suns would likely only be interested in the following players (minus Wiggins):

There’s one problem with trading Young — he can’t be traded with other players, due to NBA rules. He can be traded by himself but I can’t see Young and a cache of picks getting the job done.

No offense to Ricky Rubio or Zach LaVine, but the Suns don’t need more point guards — especially after signing Isaiah Thomas and drafting Tyler Ennis.

Would the Suns jump at the opportunity to make a deal around those guys? Certainly Budinger could replace Channing Frye‘s 3-point shooting, Dieng could provide another young, athletic big to guard the rim and Young seems like he’d be a great fit for the uptempo Suns (though he couldn’t be packaged). Still, you’re trading a star — with superstar potential — for a role players or at best some average starters. It’s not a slam dunk for the Suns.

The Wolves have been trying to get rid of J.J. Barea for about a decade (or so it feels like) and would probably try to get his contract off the books as well. They’ve also got Kevin Martin to unload.

That’s why I’m struggling to see how this trade goes down. The Wolves don’t have enough talent to entice the win-now Suns and could really only offer bit players plus picks. The Suns aren’t in position where they’re panicking and could look to deal (or keep Bledsoe) later in the year. Does that mean it won’t happen? No, but the Suns would be wise to stand firm on all but the absolute best offers at this point.