NBA Rumors: Milwaukee Bucks interested in Eric Bledsoe, sign-and-trade a possiblity

While many figured at the onset of the offseason that restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe would remain with the Phoenix Suns, that appears to be far from a lock at the moment.

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First, Phoenix signed Isaiah Thomas, which gives him the solid backup plan in case Bledsoe doesn’t return. Then, ESPN’s Chris Broussard reported on Thursday that the Suns and Bledsoe were not on the same page in contract negotiations.

"The future of one of the most talented free agents left on the market remains cloudy, as Eric Bledsoe and the Phoenix Suns remain far apart in contract talks, according to sources close to the situation.The Suns have offered Bledsoe a four-year, $48 million contract, but the point guard wants a maximum five-year, $80 million deal, league sources said."

While all of this would seem to open the door wide open for other suitors, the issue of finances remains.

Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reports that the Milwaukee Bucks are very interested, but not do have the cap space to afford Bledsoe’s contract demands.

"The Milwaukee Bucks are said to be more than interested however they have just over $11 million available to them and that’s not going to get it done straight up without a sign and trade deal, which sources close to the Bucks say is absolutely on the table on their side."

If the Bucks are able to pull off a sign-and-trade, Bledsoe would represent an enormous coup for them. The 24-year-old is one of the best young talents in the NBA, fresh off a season in which he averaged 17.7 points (44.7 shooting percentage from the field), 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds.

Milwaukee is in the midst of a massive rebuild, but adding Bledsoe would certainly accelerate the process.

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