Phoenix Suns: 5 goals for Eric Bledsoe in 2017-18

1. Make the playoffs

Notice this doesn’t say “Lead the Suns to the playoffs,” because that would be a touch unrealistic. The West is simply too stacked to reasonably expect this young Phoenix team to compete for the seventh or eighth seed.

But Bledsoe has been adamant about what he wants from his NBA future, even when questions about trade rumors are posed.

"“I couldn’t control it,” he said of the trade rumors. “Couldn’t control what talks were going on. If it was gon’ happen, it was gon’ happen….I want to win. No matter where it’s at.”"

In 2017-18, it’s unlikely Bled and Booker will be able to stun the entire league and secure a playoff spot. The core pieces are simply too young and inexperienced, which is why the front office and coaching staff are so focused on player development — especially with a 2018 NBA Draft class looming that’s loaded in the top five.

Live Feed

Valley of the Suns

That long-term progression doesn’t really fit Bledsoe’s career timeline, nor does his upcoming 28th birthday fit #TheTimeline for Phoenix. Bled has been vocal about his love for for the Suns, and has backed it up with his work in the community and organizing team workouts over the summer. He’s the leader of this team, he’s well-liked in the locker room and until Booker becomes a more well-rounded player, he’s still the team’s best overall player.

However, Bledsoe’s injury history is worrisome, and his timeline doesn’t fit that of the youngsters’. At some point, Phoenix has to consider that his trade value will never be higher than it currently is, that every passing game comes with the risk of an injury collapsing that trade value, and that they might actually be doing him a solid by trading him to a more competitive team.

It’s true that most point guards can stay effective into their early 30s, which is something general manager Ryan McDonough has frequently brought up whenever Bledsoe trade questions come up, citing advances in sports science and the more player-friendly league schedule.

"“It’s funny when you say ‘older,’ and it’s true when you look at our depth chart and our roster, he is 27 years old,” McDonough said. “I think he has been our best player over the past few years in terms of the two-way impact and we’ve kind of put him at the upper limit of our age range in terms of guys we’re trying to bring in.”"

However, this particular point guard’s game is built on athleticism, speed and strength, as opposed to the skills that translate well into a player’s 30s like 3-point shooting, ball-handling or elite playmaking.

Getting something for him now and bolstering the youth movement with an additional asset makes sense for the Suns, just as it would for Bledsoe to seek a better team while he’s healthy and still in his prime.

Next: Top 10 candidates for 2017-18 Most Improved Player of the Year

Eric Bledsoe has never made the playoffs as a starting point guard, and the last time he was in the postseason was 2013 with the Clippers. Whether he’s in a Suns uniform or playing for another team after the 2018 NBA Trade Deadline, you can be guaranteed the No. 1 goal on Bledsoe’s agenda is getting back to the playoffs while he’s still in his prime.