Recent NBA trade rumors have emerged that the Phoenix Suns could send Eric Bledsoe and Tyson Chandler to the Boston Celtics for a package that includes Amir Johnson, Avery Bradley, and this year's third overall pick Jaylen Brown.
The Suns are having an "enviable problem" of being loaded in their guard positions with two starting caliber point guards in Bledsoe and Brandon Knight plus upcoming sophomore Devin Booker, who is reportedly being groomed as the future superstar of the franchise, as per Chat Sports Net.
Suns general manager Ryan McDonough acknowledged that "good problem" and said that the team's starting backcourt spots is an "open competition" in their current training camp.
"It is going to be an open competition going up to training camp, we haven't predetermined anything," said McDonough. "We have at least three starting-caliber guards, I think maybe more than that potentially, but three guards who have received All-Star consideration or will receive All-Star consideration in the future - we view that as a good problem to have."
With Booker's place in the roster intact, the team is set to deal either Bledsoe or Knight to create more roster balance. Of the two veterans, it is more likely that Bledsoe is the better trade chip and could be the center piece of a potential blockbuster trade.
The report noted that "having two combo guards may be a luxury" but once either one of them gets tired of a bench role that does not maximize their full potential, the situation will eventually lead to a trade. Trading Bledsoe now ensures the Suns get the best value that they can acquire from him than risking a poor showing in the upcoming regular season.
Sportsrageous suggested a trade with the Celtics sending Bledsoe and veteran big man Tyson Chandler to Boston in exchange for power forward Amir Johnson, super defender Avery Bradley, and rookie Jaylen Brown, who has a lot of upside at the small forward position.
However, the report also said that Phoenix dealing any of their three aforementioned guards is unlikely as Suns head coach Earl Watson is said to be keen on making one of them a premier off-the-bench player this coming season.
"We understand that whoever comes off the bench has a chance to win Sixth Man of the Year. We have to embrace that, uplift that and empower that," Watson said.
Getting Bledsoe and Chandler would give a big lift to the Celtics chances as one of the top contenders in the East while the Suns will also have better complementary players with Johnson, Bradley, and Brown.
