12. Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns
Bledsoe got the short end of the stick last season, being ruled out as a healthy scratch towards the end of the year in favor of player development. As somebody who, as long as he’s in Phoenix, will be relied on as one of the team’s go-to offensive options, expect him to bounce back at the start of the 2017-18 campaign.
When Bledsoe was on the floor last season, he was one of only a few positives for this Suns team. He totaled 21.1 points per game, while also dishing out 6.3 assists — both of which are career highs. His unique combination of strength and explosiveness make him a difficult cover almost regardless of who’s matched up with him, even with a below-average 3-point shot.
The man dubbed mini-LeBron should continue to chug along as one of the league’s most wasted and under-appreciated talents. This is a Suns team that doesn’t need Bledsoe long term, and hasn’t necessarily utilized him in the best of ways over the last couple of years. He’s the casualty of a backcourt logjam that turned into a prolonged issue for Phoenix’s front office.