Ranking The Phoenix Suns’ Best Trade Assets In 2016-17

1. Eric Bledsoe

Suns fans may not like it, especially in what looks like another lost/rebuilding season, but their best trade asset — among players who aren’t a part of their long-term future, at least — is their best player, Eric Bledsoe.

With Bledsoe turning 27 last week, the clock is already ticking on his time with a young core of Devin Booker, T.J. Warren, Marquese Chriss, Dragan Bender and maybe Alex Len and Tyler Ulis, who are still years away from elevating Phoenix back to playoff contention.

Rather than let such a talented player waste away on non-playoff teams for the rest of his career, both parties would be better off cashing in on his value while it’s still at such a high point.

Bledsoe is averaging 20.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game on 45.9 percent shooting from the field. He’s not the distributing guard this team needs for the future, and there’s no question that trading either him or Brandon Knight would free up more time for rookie Tyler Ulis.

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As is the case with any player with an extensive injury, Bledsoe is one coal the Suns need to strike while still hot, since he missed 51 games last season and 39 games in his first season in Phoenix, both due to a torn meniscus.

Considering he also dealt with a knee injury during his early years with the Los Angeles Clippers, Bledsoe’s athleticism and bullying defense would be far more useful to a more competitive team in need of a starting point guard while he’s still healthy.

Losing Bledsoe would make the Suns unwatchable some nights, and it’d seem cruel to the fans to trade away the team’s best player, but Bledsoe only has so many seasons left of his prime. Not only would trading Bledsoe to a contender be doing right by him, but it’d also net the Suns the most/best assets in a potential trade package.

Next: 2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Week 8

Phoenix has plenty of guard depth, and Bledsoe is probably not a part of the team’s long-term future. With only two years and $29.5 million remaining on his contract, Bledsoe’s value is a steal for a potential trade partner. As difficult as it might be, the Suns need to seriously consider cashing in on Bledsoe’s value before injury or declining play rob them of that opportunity.