SO HERE’S THE POINT!
One team’s scapegoat is another team’s starting point guard. That’s how the Knicks should be looking at Eric Bledsoe, who is being granted his wish two days after tweeting “I Don’t wanna be here.” The tweet was sent the day following the headingnowhere-fast Phoenix Suns lost their third straight game to open the season and just before owner Robert Sarver and general manager Ryan McDonough fired head coach Earl Watson. Man, that was quick. Except for the weather, why would anyone want to be part of the Phoenix Suns right now? Watson’s predecessor, Jeff Hornacek, should consider himself lucky to be out of there.
This goes back to the Suns taking a tough negotiating stance with Bledsoe on a new contract a few years ago.
Last season they sat him the final month to tank for Lonzo Ball. If you were a 28-year-old point guard in a guard-dominated league whose contract expires in July 2019, you wouldn’t want to commit any more of your prime years to such a dysfunctional franchise.
So why would Bledsoe want to join the Knicks, who haven’t been a model franchise either?
Good question without a great answer other than the Knicks have a glaring need at the position.
They also have Kristaps Porzingis, and a trade to New York gets Bledsoe out of the rough and tough Western Conference.
The Knicks contacted Phoenix on Monday once the Suns sent Bledsoe home and made the determination that he will no longer play for them.
As far as NBA divorces go, this one is unique. According to McDonough he asked Bledsoe about the tweet.
“He said he was at a hair salon,” McDonough told reporters. “I didn’t believe that to be true. He won’t be with us going forward.” Only in the NBA. In the last high profile divorce the Knicks made a run at Kyrie Irving but never stood a chance. At least now they’re in the conversation.
The Knicks, who are 0-2 entering Tuesday’s game at Boston, could make a run at a playoff spot by adding Bledsoe. He’s not John Wall but he’s certainly not Ramon Sessions either.
The addition of Bledsoe would allow Frank Ntilikina to develop as a rookie backup. That’s assuming, of course, the Suns don’t ask for Ntilikina, the Knicks’ top pick in the last draft, in return. Ntilikina will likely miss Tuesday’s game against the Celtics with a sprained ankle.
The Knicks believe in Ntilikina, but that pick was made by Phil Jackson, who decided not to select Dennis Smith Jr.
Something tells me Steve Mills might be open to removing some of Jackson’s DNA from the roster.
But Ntilikina alone won’t get a deal done. The Suns would likely ask for Willy Hernangomez, who has been buried on the bench in the Knicks first two games.
If you deal Ntilikina and Hernangomez along with a veteran (Courtney Lee) to match Bledsoe’s salary it doesn’t necessarily alter your rebuilding plan.
If the Knicks become a playoff team that will only help Porzingis’ development and make the Knicks more appealing to free agents. If the Knicks can’t nail down a place in the top 8, they head to the lottery knowing they have a core of Porzingis and Bledsoe, who is averaging 13.1 points 8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game during his career. Still, it’s a long-shot. Milwaukee is reportedly interested in Bledsoe and adding him should seal the Bucks place as a top-four team in the East.
Denver, which is trying to break into the playoff picture in the West, plays an up-tempo style that suits Bledsoe. They also have the assets to make a deal.
Several NBA executives doubt the Knicks can be players for Bledsoe. One said the Suns historically are “unrealistic” with their asking price.
Another said he doesn’t believe the Knicks would part with Hernangomez. he Suns, however, aren’t exactly dealing from a position of strength. They lost 130-88 on Saturday night to the Clippers to fall to 0-3. Their opening night 124-76 loss to Portland was the biggest blowout loss in Suns history. Usually bad teams wait until March to quit. The Suns have quit in October.
Some, not all, falls on Bledsoe, but a change of scenery should help him. Bledsoe once shared a backcourt with Isaiah Thomas and Goran Dragic, two players who have long since been traded.
Their respective careers dramatically changed once they left Phoenix and found homes in the East.
The Knicks, if given the chance, should bet on that trend continuing.
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