Eric Bledsoe met with the Phoenix Suns in Sacramento on Monday, and the guard was set home. He will not play in the Suns’ matchup versus the Kings, according to ESPN’s Chris Haynes:
ESPN Sources: Eric Bledsoe met with team this morning before shootaround and he was sent home. He will not play tonight against Sacramento.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 23, 2017
The Suns almost cleaned all of their metaphorical house Sunday, as head coach Earl Watson and several of members of his staff were let go. Jay Triano will assume an interim role with the team with Watson departing.
This tweet from Bledsoe came prior to the announcement about Watson, and while no context is present, the events after seem to signal he’s looking for a new home:
I Dont wanna be here
— Eric Bledsoe (@EBled2) October 22, 2017
A trade seems to be on the horizon, according to Haynes and Adrian Wojnarowski:
Rival executives anticipate that a trade is looming for Phoenix guard Eric Bledsoe.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 23, 2017
Sources: Suns engaged in trade talks w/ several teams on Bledsoe. Phoenix soliciting offers with expectation he’s on move elsewhere. https://t.co/mj4raCATlp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 23, 2017
Bledsoe started his career with the Clippers – where Portland general manager Neil Olshey was then residing as GM – after a trade in which Olshey sent a 2012 first-round pick to the Thunder to acquire him.
He had this to say about his draft mindset, in a 2011 interview:
“If you look at our history, we’ve been pretty consistent about getting guys you can get on the court that are productive. For the most part, the guys we’ve taken are who we thought they would be while still having a high ceiling. Thornton, Gordon and Griffin were all rookie players and as far as what Farouq (Aminu) and Eric (Bledsoe) came to the team with, they have what we bought ... There’s no ceiling that they can’t surpass in terms of their ability and potential."
Bledsoe has career averages of 13.1 points, 4.6 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game. He has two years of his five-year, $70 million deal left.