10. Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns
Counting Stats: 20.4 points, 6.1 assists and 4.0 rebounds
PER: 20.10
WS: 2.5
VORP: 1.3
Sometimes a change of scenery can do wonders to a player’s career. And for budding Suns’ star Eric Bledsoe, the peak of his development couldn’t have come at a better time. After struggling to find consistent minutes with his first three seasons as a Clipper, Bledsoe has re-invented his role as a starter for Phoenix.
The former Kentucky product blossomed into the team’s leading scorer a season ago, averaging a career-high 20.4 points per game before a torn meniscus derailed his promising 2016 campaign.
Still, Bledsoe has found rapid success as the franchise’s focal point alongside fellow Kentucky stars Brandon Knight and Devin Booker. Bledsoe’s game was revitalized through the advancement of his three-point shot, as he connected on 37.2 percent of his shots from beyond the arc last year.
Taking care of the basketball is also something that Bledsoe has worked tirelessly on throughout his NBA career. From a steep 26.3 turnover percentage as a rookie to now just at 16.2 (career-low), Bledsoe has managed to keep the flow of the Phoenix offense running smoothly.
On a team that’s built its future around promising young stars, it’s vital for Bledsoe to stay the course and guide the Suns back to competitiveness, and maybe even the playoffs. A place where the franchise hasn’t been to since 2010.
Next: No. 9