Bledsoe upset at being shut down last season, but still loves being in Phoenix

Eric Bledsoe has to live with the decisions the Phoenix Suns front office makes - including the one to shut him down for the final 14 games of the 2016-17 season - but it doesn't change his love for the valley and the roots he's put down.

"I love everything about it," the 27-year old told azcentral sports at a local youth camp. "At the same time, I want to win."

Bledsoe purchased a home in the Phoenix area, where he lives with his family, though he's "definitely feeling" like the old man in a Suns picture that is focusing on a youth movement.

When the Suns shut him down, he was averaging 21.1 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game.

"The front office made a decision and I had to live with it," Bledsoe said. "I wasn't OK with it, and I don't know what basketball player would be. I want to compete. We weren't winning but I still wanted to play with my teammates. But I couldn't do anything about it."

Bledsoe's name has been mentioned as part of a trade with the Cavaliers for Irving, or by way of a potential three-team deal.