Trading for Eric Bledsoe would give Cleveland Cavaliers stability at point guard
Eric Bledsoe is unhappy with his current situation in Phoenix. The team has been one of the worst in the league over the last few years and Bledsoe, one of the better point guards in the league, is getting tired of losing. Could the Cleveland Cavaliers be the solution?
Now it appears as if a trade of Bledsoe is on the horizon. The Cleveland Cavaliers, who are a bit desperate at the point guard position now, would benefit from adding Bledsoe.
Yes, the Cavaliers already have Isaiah Thomas and Derrick Rose as their two primary point guards. However, Rose has an injury history and Thomas is recovering from a significant injury of his own.
Since the Kyrie Irving trade went down in August, Thomas has always been slotted to take over the starting point guard role for the Cavaliers when he returns. Even though the team and fans alike are hopeful Thomas will not feel any ill effects from his hip injury, there is no certainty that Thomas will be 100 percent.
Bringing Thomas along slowly when he first returns is the ideal way the Cavaliers should approach the situation. Adding Bledsoe gives the team the chance to do just that.
Bledsoe is friends with LeBron James and is also apart of his agency Klutch Sports. This is a factor that cannot be ignored.
He also is coming off a great year with the Suns. Averaging 21.1 points, 6.3 assists while shooting 43.4 percent from the floor. His skill set was on full display last season when Bledsoe scored 40 points and dished out 13 assists against the Raptors.
Splitting time between Thomas and Bledsoe might be difficult to imagine since both are starting caliber guards, but it is something the Cavaliers can make work.
There is also the possibility of the two playing together at times. Both Thomas and Bledsoe are smaller guards, but given this is the era of “small ball” playing the two together would provide the Cavaliers with an interesting dynamic. Especially if they are paired with LeBron and Kevin Love.
The other point guard on the team, Derrick Rose, is not being forgotten either in this situation. However, he is prone to getting hurt and cannot be trusted to be there for the Cavaliers moving forward.
More from King James Gospel
- 3 possible starting lineups for Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023-24
- The Cavaliers may have snagged a hidden gem in Craig Porter Jr.
- 4 players the Cavaliers should pursue in 2024 free agency
- 6 players Cavaliers might replace Jarrett Allen with by the trade deadline
- This stat is one to keep an eye on for Cavaliers’ Max Strus in years ahead
When Rose signed with the Cavaliers over the summer, many wondered what he could still offer on the court. While Rose was overall impressive in the first two games for the Cavaliers, he is once again dealing with an injury.
While Bledsoe has a brief injury history of his own, it is nowhere near as long as Rose’s injury history.
Going forward the Cavaliers need to have a point guard who they can rely on to remain healthy. Also, after Jose Calderon’s less than impressive debut, the team’s desperate need for a point guard right now is apparent.
A trade with the Suns would not be overly costly for the Cavaliers, given Bledsoe’s trade demands. Giving up players who are already lost in the mix such as Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye would be the likely scenario.
This may be an opportunity the Cavaliers cannot pass up. Their window for winning a title is closing and could be shut for good after this season if LeBron chooses to leave. Bledsoe would be a great insurance policy for the Cavaliers, and it realistically would not cost the front office a whole to get him.
Bledsoe has been the face of the Suns in the last couple seasons. Coming to Cleveland he would not have the same target on his back and would probably feel freer playing alongside players like LeBron, Love, Thomas and Dwyane Wade.
While the Cavaliers should not make a move for the sake of making a move, a trade for Bledsoe would be a sign to the team and fan base that the franchise is all in. They would also be adding a guard who needs a fresh start. Also, playing for a championship contender would refresh Bledsoe after his ordeal in Phoenix.
Must Read: Cleveland Cavaliers: One blatant weakness for every Cavalier
If Bledsoe buys into what the Cavaliers are doing, this could be the steal of the season. Most of all it could very well lead to the Cavaliers getting the upper hand on the Golden State Warriors in June.