Now that newly signed free agents this past offseason are now eligible for trade, the key names being thrown around are Eric Bledsoe, Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo, and more. Now, it looks like one of those players will be on the move before Dec. 19, allowing their new team to trade them once again come the Feb. 19 deadline.
Phoenix has committed $70 million over five years to Bledsoe and $27 million over four years to Thomas. Bledsoe and Thomas will earn a combined $20.5 million next season. Dragic, an All-NBA third-team selection, could command $15 million a year or more on the open market in July.
Obviously, any of them can produce at a high rate but with a stacked backcourt, they may not be able to play at their utmost potential. Now, the question arises, who among the three would be the best choice to be moved?
Would the Suns pay three point guards a combined $35 million, more than half of the projected cap? Would they let Dragic walk away for nothing?
The answer to both questions is "probably not," which is why team executives across the league expect the Suns to trade one of the three. Some interviewed for this story said Thomas was the most likely candidate.
"I do think that they're going to look at it, [but] only if it makes them better," said another Western Conference executive.
Another anonymous GM said:
"It's now a question of leverage. Bledsoe is a great player but he is not irreplaceable and he has an injury history. That would tilt the odds in the Suns' favor. But the Suns were so close to the playoff picture last year, they don't want to get derailed with an awkward situation. So they would rather trade Bledsoe for a player they could use and move on."
"I think they signed him with the [thought] that they can move him and get something for him," a rival team executive added.
Right now, the missing piece for the Phoenix Suns is frontcourt depth. Among the three, Bledsoe has the highest value and the Suns might be able to acquire a quality starting big man for him.
What do you think readers? Who can the Suns possibly get for Eric Bledsoe? Sound off in the comments section below!
