Taking out the whole thing would pretty much end his career. No way he could play the way he does for 82 games without a meniscus.
Getting it removed rather than repaired was a terrible, terrible career decision. I've torn mine twice. The first time, when I was in high school, I had it repaired. After tearing the repair, I had the little bit of it removed. If I was anything more than a rec league athlete, no chance I'd do that. The piece I had removed was a fraction of his, but I already get sore much sooner and from doing much less than I used to. Enough about me.
Dwyane Wade did what Bledsoe did. You're watching him reap the negative effects. It was extremely shortsighted. Bledsoe's career's ceiling fell hard.
Back to the player - there's no way he's a max contract player. He had one very good year as a backup behind Chris Paul on a super talented team. He then had part of one good season as a starter. Why is that deserving of a max contract?
I'd rather have Kyle Lowry because he's a proven commodity. This guy is getting the same contract offer and people are treating it like it's a crime.