The Sixer Sense
Fansided

NBA Rumors: Will 76ers Pursue Suns’ Bledsoe or Knight

By Bret Stuter

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Dec 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe reacts as he is tended to by trainers after suffering an injury in the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe reacts as he is tended to by trainers after suffering an injury in the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Injury Prone

Last year, point guard Eric Bledsoe played in just 31 games, while Brandon Knight appeared in only 52 games.   Bledsoe suffered a torn meniscus in the December 26 game against the Philadelphia 76ers, the same type of injury which ended Jahlil Okafor’s season later soon afterwards. Prior to last season’s tear, he had surgery in the 2013-2014 season to repair cartilage in his knee when he first arrived in Phoenix. After shedding his reputation as injury-prone by appearing in 81 games in the 2014-2015 season, Bledsoe solidified that reputation once more.  With the drafting of Ulis, groundwork has been established where the Phoenix Suns comfort are now in an ideal position to consider parting ways with either of the two star point guards this off-season.

Related Story: Why Philadelphia 76ers Should Expect All Draft Picks To Play This Year

I say either of the two, because point guard Brandon Knight’s left ankle was injured in the 2014-2015 season, leading to the decision to have arthroscopic surgery in April. In the 2015-2016 season, Knight missed seven weeks and 21 games from late January to early March from a groin injury suffered on Dec. 31 in Oklahoma City.

While both players are young enough to shrug off nagging injuries and piece together a string of seasons, neither has demonstrated the ability to do so going forward.

Next: The Price of Moving On