Knicks Trade Rumors: Pros and Cons of potentially trading for Eric Bledsoe

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PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 3: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 3, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Pro: Driving Ability

Say what you will about Derrick Rose, but he was the only player on the 2016-17 New York Knicks who could consistently get to the basket. Even Carmelo Anthony shot below the league average in the restricted area, while Kristaps Porzingis is still somewhat perimeter-oriented.

With the primary knock against Frank Ntilikina being that he struggles to turn the corner, adding an elite slasher would be a wise move.

Eric Bledsoe checks that box when discussing both volume and efficiency; it’s partially why he’s received the nickname of mini-LeBron. When Bledsoe is on the drive, there are few who dare—or can—stay in front of his powerful frame.

In 2016-17, Bledsoe put that ability to great use by ranking No. 11 in the NBA in points via drives per game at 7.0 on 53.4 percent shooting.

Bledsoe’s field goal percentage on drives was higher than all but three of the other 10 players in the NBA who averaged at least 7.0 points via drives per game. The only exceptions were LeBron James (62.4), DeMar DeRozan (54.9), and James Harden (54.8).

If Jeff Hornacek were to utilize Bledsoe’s driving ability in a similar manner to how he coached Rose, New York would have an efficient form of offensive execution.

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