The New York Knicks are interested in trading for Phoenix Suns point guard Eric Bledsoe, but the asking price is currently too high for Scott Perry’s taste.
Mere days into the 2017-18 regular season, the Phoenix Suns have already begun cleaning house. In addition to parting ways with head coach Earl Watson after just three games, Phoenix is testing the trade waters for its starting point guard—and the New York Knicks were quick to bite.
Intriguing as the possibility of trading for Bledsoe may be, it doesn’t appear as though the Suns are going to acknowledge how badly they’ve damaged their leverage.
Fresh off of sending Bledsoe home, Suns general manager Ryan McDonough publicly stated that the point guard will not be back with the team. That inevitably sparked speculation that New York could enter the discussion—an inevitability that came to fruition.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, the Knicks reached out to the Suns in an attempt to gauge the mutual interest in a deal for Bledsoe.
The Knicks are among the teams who have reached out to Phoenix recently about trading for guard Eric Bledsoe, per league sources. https://t.co/INmuthUPc6
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 23, 2017
Per Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders, the Suns have requested that the Knicks send Willy Hernangomez and Frank Ntilikina to Phoenix.
Phoenix Suns asked New York Knicks for Frank Ntlikina and Willy Hernangomez in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, league sources told @BBallInsiders
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) October 23, 2017
It’s understandable for the Suns to ask for a king’s ransom, but it doesn’t appear as though the Knicks are willing to part with Hernangomez or Ntilikina.
Knicks, to this point, have been opposed to dealing Ntilikina or Hernangomez for Bledsoe, per sources: https://t.co/HbdaBUjv5v
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 23, 2017
Bledsoe is an appealing player, but the organization isn’t keen on moving either of the young players whom the Suns are interested in acquiring.
Bledsoe is coming off of a career-year, during which he averaged 21.1 points, 6.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.6 three-point field goals made per game. He’s widely regarded as one of the best downhill players in the NBA, due in large part to his explosive finishing ability.
Coupled with the fact that he has past experience playing for Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek, the front office’s interest is understandable.
True as that may be, the front office is understandably reluctant to give up its 2017 lottery pick or 2016-17 All-Rookie First Team honoree.
Ntilikina was selected at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, and Hernangomez was a double-double machine as a rookie. General manager Scott Perry listed both players as members of the young core that he’s attempting to build around.
Thus, it comes as no surprise that the organization is reluctant to part ways with its 19-year-old point guard or 23-year-old center for a 27-year-old point guard who’s soon to be 28.
Must Read: Updated pros and cons of trading for Eric Bledsoe
The New York Knicks are still in the running for Eric Bledsoe, but the front office is currently unwilling to part with Willy Hernangomez or Frank Ntilikina.