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Phoenix Suns: Who Belongs In Their Backcourt For The Future?

By Gerald Bourguet

Dec 20, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3) during the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3) during the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phoenix Suns
Dec 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe reacts after suffering an injury in the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Eric Bledsoe

The Good:

When healthy, Bledsoe is the best player and easily the most qualified starting point guard on the Suns’ roster. He was in the middle of a career year before his season-ending injury, averaging 20.4 points, 6.1 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals while shooting 45.3 percent from the floor and 37.2 percent from three-point range.

“It’s good to have versatility in your backcourt,” Watson said before the Suns’ recent home game against Minnesota. “With the way Bled shot the ball this year, I think it’s encouraging to play him off the ball. In the quick swing action, now you have to guard a physical, aggressive point guard attacking rotations and a second pick-and-roll. Who are you gonna guard?”

Bledsoe is the best passer in Phoenix’s backcourt right now, and though he’s a ball-dominant guard who’s a bit too turnover-prone, he’s a bulldog on the defensive end when he’s fully locked in. He’s signed on through the 2018-19 season with a manageable average annual salary of $14.5 million. As one of the league’s more well-rounded two-way guards, Bledsoe is a great starting point should the Suns find a way to swing a trade for a superstar to start assembling a playoff contender.

The Bad:

The problem is Bledsoe has had issues staying healthy. He was limited to 31 games this season because of a meniscus tear in his left knee, and though he suited up for 81 games in 2014-15, the season before that he was limited to 42 games because of a meniscus tear in his right knee.

Bledsoe will probably never be “the guy,” and his quiet demeanor has led many to question how far this team can go with him as their leader/best player. He’s prone to lapses in effort, especially on the defensive end, and he’d probably be one of the Suns’ most attractive trade chips if they were making to look a deal for a superstar or stockpile more draft picks.

The Verdict: Keep Him

Just because Bledsoe may never be a superstar doesn’t mean the Suns have to move on from him. Don’t be surprised if the Kyrie Irving trade rumors swirl and the Suns enter the conversation since Bledsoe and LeBron James share the same agent, but as long as he can rehab and come back healthy, Bledsoe should be the team’s starting point guard for opening night of the 2016-17 season.

Next: Booker

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