The future of the Phoenix Suns looked bright heading into the 2014 season after acquiring emerging star point guard Eric Bledsoe.
However, according to reports, Bledsoe damaged his meniscus on Dec. 30. On Jan. 9, team doctors announced he needed surgery and would be out indefinitely.
The Suns need to be cautious about their future and learn from other teams' mistakes.
Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, a fellow aggressive point guard, tore the lateral meniscus in his right knee before the preseason. He was expected to miss four to six weeks in the regular season; he sat just two games.
Westbrook reinjured the knee in December.
Bledsoe cannot rush back. Playing the waiting game may not help, though.
Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose missed most of the 2012 season and all of 2013 after he tore the ACL in his left knee. Ten games into the 2014 season, he tore an ACL in the right knee. He was declared done for the season.
Knee injuries are a tricky fix. Greg Oden, a former No. 1 draft pick, has had recurring injuries in his knee and received multiple microfracture surgeries since 2007.
The Suns need to be careful easing Bledsoe back onto the court, and not rush into a long-term contract in the offseason. Bledsoe’s injury may halt the progress of an emerging superstar and force the Suns to reconsider their future.
Reach the reporter at lmnewma1@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @logan_newsman
