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10 NBA Teams That Should Trade For Eric Bledsoe

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 5, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) brings the ball up court against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) brings the ball up court against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Eric Bledsoe
Nov 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) celebrates with forward Jared Dudley (3) after winning a game in overtime against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Suns defeated the Pelicans 112-111 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

5. New Orleans Pelicans

Jrue Holiday has been terrific for the New Orleans Pelicans since he returned to the court, but his status as a free agent this summer complicates his long-term future for a franchise that, outside of Anthony Davis and Buddy Hield, needs to start building a legitimate core.

Bledsoe is still only 27 and alongside Davis, another Kentucky alum, New Orleans would finally start showing signs of building a foundation. They’d have a borderline elite point guard locked in for another two seasons after this one, and they wouldn’t have to worry about overpaying to keep Holiday.

For the Suns, they could either try to re-sign Holiday while they wait for Ulis or an incoming rookie to be groomed into their point guard of the future, or they could let him walk and pocket the first-rounder. If they could make it a 2017 first-rounder with the Pellies currently in the lottery, even better.

However, the make-or-break aspect of this deal would probably be the inclusion of a future first round pick. The Pelicans might value Holiday more than he’s actually worth as an impending free agent, or they may not want to deal him away if it comes at the price of a first-rounder.

For the Suns, a soon-to-be-departing Holiday and a late lottery pick might not be enough value for Bledsoe compared to other offers they might receive if they actually put him on the trade block.