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New York Knicks: Updated pros and cons of trading for Eric Bledsoe

By Maxwell Ogden

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 21: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns warms up before the game against the LA Clippers on OCTOBER 21, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 21: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns warms up before the game against the LA Clippers on OCTOBER 21, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – FEBRUARY 13: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Pelicans defeated the Suns 110-108. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – FEBRUARY 13: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Pelicans defeated the Suns 110-108. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Con: Injury History

Any time the New York Knicks trade for a player, the first question should be about their injury history. The Knicks have an uncanny ability to trade for injury-prone players, with the laundry list being a driving force behind the organization’s 16 years of mediocrity.

Thus, while adding Eric Bledsoe to the roster would undoubtedly help, it must be acknowledged that he’s struggled to remain healthy.

Bledsoe missed 39 games during the 2013-14 regular season due to injuries to his shin and meniscus. He then appeared in 81 games in 2014-15, but missed 51 outings in 2015-16 due to a torn meniscus—an unfortunately recurring theme.

Bledsoe appeared in 66 games in 2016-17, but was shut down for Phoenix’s final 15 outings due to a combination of knee soreness and the Suns being out of the postseason picture.

Thus, while Bledsoe may be a high-level slasher and intriguing defender, he also has a somewhat extensive history of knee injuries. The soreness in 2016-17 was somewhat expected due to it being his first season back from surgery, but it’s fair to be skeptical.

Bledsoe is an outstanding talent who averaged 21.1 points, 6.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.6 three-point field goals made per game in 2016-17, but injuries are a concern.

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