The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Why avoiding the Eric Bledsoe saga was the right move

By Christopher Kline

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 21: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns warms up before the game against the LA Clippers on OCTOBER 21, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 21: Eric Bledsoe #2 of the Phoenix Suns warms up before the game against the LA Clippers on OCTOBER 21, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers were never really discussed in the Eric Bledsoe sweepstakes, and that was probably the right approach.

Eric Bledsoe’s fallout with the Phoenix Suns was an interesting one. From a cryptic Tweet to being sent home for a couple of weeks, the 27-year-old put both himself and the Suns in an awkward position.

Now on the Milwaukee Bucks, Bledsoe has been granted the change of scenery he wanted while Phoenix stockpiles more assets in what should be a lengthy rebuild. Considering how low the price was, though, some may question why the Philadelphia 76ers didn’t get involved.

Greg Monroe‘s expiring contract and some protected picks is all it took to steal Bledsoe from Phoenix, which isn’t all that surprising when you consider how little leverage Phoenix had. But the Sixers have more than enough to match that offer in terms of value. What exactly held them back?

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

In short, chemistry has to have been the number one reason for staying away from Bledsoe. Not only did his exit from Phoenix leave a bad taste in the mouthes of some, but the Sixers’ locker room — and their chemistry on the court — has been one of their strong suits this season.

From the budding rapport between Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid to the ultra-comfortable roles both Robert Covington and J.J. Redick are settling in to, this Sixers team is looking better than it ever has under Brett Brown. They have a pair of All-Star caliber talents, and have now won five straight en route to a 6-4 record through 10 games.

They’re making the jump, and it’s tough to make a gamble on a big-name acquisition of Bledsoe’s ilk in that situation.

While Bledsoe obviously brings more talent to the backcourt, he could adversely affect a few key areas. He’s best with the ball in his hands, and the Simmons/Bledsoe dynamic isn’t something Brown would want to figure out mid-season. He’s also a below-average 3-point shooter, which means his attack-heavy nature could end up hurting their spacing.

In all of this, though, it’s that overarching theme of chemistry that’s most important. This Sixers team has the ability to compete at a high level without Bledsoe, and bringing him onboard brings some inherent risks that just aren’t worth taking.

Those risks extend beyond on-court cohesiveness as well. Not many teams have their locker room figured out like Philly does, and that’s always something worth preserving. One of the most underrated facets of any winning team is how much they enjoy playing with one another, and this Sixers team clearly boasts one of the stronger intrasquad dynamics in the league.

Bledsoe’s somebody who has trudged through years of poor management on a team that didn’t embrace his talents. Being asked to work in heavy off the ball in heavy doses for a Sixers team that’s still growing may not satiate his desire for a better role.

There’s also the Markelle Fultz situation. Assuming he returns to form at some point, slotting the reigning No. 1 pick — who still has plenty of upside — behind a veteran who doesn’t fit the timeline as well could be a risk.

The long-term outlook with this team is still far more important than immediate production. Throwing another wrench into Fultz’s not-so-smooth developmental track doesn’t sound all that appealing.

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If this front office still has confidence in Fultz, that alone is enough of a reason to avoid the Bledsoe trade talks. When you factor in just how impressive this team’s chemistry has been, the reasons against making an offer far outweigh those in favor of it.