Recent NBA trade rumors have emerged that the Phoenix Suns could trade for Houston Rockets point guard Ty Lawson before the February trade deadline to compensate for the absence of the franchise's best player and team leader Eric Bledsoe as he is reportedly out of the season with a torn left knee meniscus.
Sports World Report's Lauren Moranor indicated that the Suns "may be forced to make a trade for help" after the 26-year-old Bledsoe underwent a season-ending surgery "to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee".
Bledsoe is leading the team with averages of 20.4 points and 6.1 assists per game in 31 games before his current debacle. He was also shooting 45.3 percent from the field, 37.2 percent from the three-point area, and had been collaring 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.
Sports Illustrated noted that "Bledsoe tore the meniscus in his left knee during Saturday's loss to Philadelphia, and was originally projected to miss six weeks, according to head coach Jeff Hornacek".
Recent reports have emerged that Phoenix will be moving forward for the rest of its 2015-2016 campaign without their starting floor general.
Hornacek remained optimistic about the future of his squad, who is currently second to the last place in the West with a 12-25 record that is only better than the cellar-dwelling Los Angeles Lakers.
"It could be good for us in the long run," said the 52-year-old coach and former player. "It will give some of these guys more opportunity to play and get better, some of our young guys and that will be good for them."
Speculations have also emerged that the Rockets' Lawson could be a target for the Suns before the deadline and disgruntled forward Markieff Morris could finally be dealt in exchange for the former North Carolina NCAA champion.
Moranor said that "teams interested in Morris also want something to sweeten the deal", which means that Houston may ask for more. However, Phoenix is reportedly not ready "to throw someone else into a trade package with the forward" if ever negotiations do push through.