New York Knicks: Revisiting Eric Bledsoe, but via free agency

The New York Knicks reportedly like Eric Bledsoe, but it’s not the first time this has floated publicly.

Amid a report from Marc Berman of The New York Post, which cited the New York Knicks potentially making a run at John Wall, and assessing Emmanuel Mudiay‘s future as the point guard, was a tidbit on Eric Bledsoe, whom the Knicks’ front office likes.

If that connection sounds familiar, it’s because this same team brass had interest in Bledsoe about 14 months ago, when the Phoenix Suns shopped him after the infamous “I don’t wanna be here” tweet.

However, the Suns asked for Frank Ntilikina and Willy Hernangomez, which the Knicks declined. The Milwaukee Bucks acquired Bledsoe for Greg Monroe, a 2018 second-round pick and a protected 2019 first-round pick.

At the time, Ntilikina was barely into his rookie season as New York’s lottery selection and Hernangomez had eye-opening performances the year before, making him an intriguing piece next to Kristaps Porzingis.

How times have changed, of course. Hernangomez couldn’t find consistent playing time in 2017-18, and the Knicks traded him to the Charlotte Hornets for two second-round picks at the 2018 trade deadline. Ntilikina has fallen into this, as well, and recently surfaced in trade rumors.

Well, it’s over one year later, but that much closer to free agency, which Bledsoe will reach at age 29. (He turns 29 on Dec. 9.)

This is not Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard or another dreamy free agent, but in that subcategory. Bledsoe has proven to be a fine player, though, with 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game on a current career-high 51.4 percent shooting.

Bledsoe makes $15 million this season, but that’s at the tail-end of an extension he signed with the Suns in 2014, long before the NBA’s cap spike. He’s due for a boost, potentially at a four-year, maximum-salary contract to go through age 33.

If the Knicks sign Bledsoe, they basically pay for his first two years at age 30 and 31, before hitting that inevitable decline range. Especially for a player that has appeared in at least 70 games just four times and 50 or fewer games three times.

Per HoopsRumors, as of the 2018-19 season, Bledsoe’s contract could be four years, $131 million, pending he asks for the max, although the cap will rise for 2019-20. That probably makes this a secondary option if the Knicks can’t attain the bigger names.

That probably means letting Mudiay, a surprising revelation this season, walk in free agency, along with Trey Burke. It continues to blur Ntilikina’s future, the player once perceived as a point guard but since moved into an off-ball role.

Maybe the Knicks try to keep Burke or Mudiay on a cheap, short-term contract, but after failed stints in their previous NBA seasons, who could blame them for trying to find stability in two-plus year pacts?

For Ntilikina, would it make him a trade piece? Who knows where his value will be by July, pending he remains on the roster until then, but the Knicks can package the 20-year-old for a roster upgrade.

Free agency is seven months away, but these rumors over the past two years mean anything, there’s a chance the New York Knicks are in on Bledsoe this summer.