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Will Eric Bledsoe’s value be hurt by the Suns’ point guards?

By Andrew Melnick

Dec 13, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) and Goran Dragic against the Sacramento Kings at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Kings 116-107. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) and Goran Dragic against the Sacramento Kings at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Kings 116-107. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Phoenix Suns were one of the most improved teams in basketball last year, led by a back court of Goran Dragić and Eric Bledsoe. The Suns finished one game out at 48-34 and that was with Bledsoe missing 39 games.

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The popular belief was the Suns would re-sign Bledsoe, a restricted free agent, and role with two point guards again. Instead, Bledsoe remains a free agent and the Suns added two more point guards, drafting former Syracuse Orange star Tyler Ennis and acquiring Isaiah Thomas in a sign-and-trade with the Sacramento Kings.

Joel Brigham of Basketball Insiders believes Bledsoe’s value could be hurt because of their surplus of point guards.

"Teams are interested, in other words, but no one is offering enough to get Phoenix surrender a pretty talented asset. So, for now, he remains in Phoenix, even though with both Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas on the roster, Bledsoe and his checkered injury past isn’t someone they necessarily need anymore. They certainly have no need to pay him a max contract.Will someone ultimately give him that money? It depends on what he shows this year."

If Bledsoe does wind up back the Suns, the key will be staying healthy rather than trying to find more playing time in a crowded backup. If healthy, Bledsoe is certainly good enough to consistently play big minutes. Plus, the Suns believe they can make a multiple point guard system work.

Bledsoe averaged 17.7 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 47.7% from the field, 35.7% from beyond the arc and 77.2% from the free throw line last season. In his four-year NBA career, the 18th-overall pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA draft, has averaged 8.7 points, 3.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 44.5% from the floor, 32.7% from three and 75.8% from the charity stripe.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league as we get you ready for the start of the 2014-2015 season.

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