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Goran Dragic on Eric Bledsoe: ‘He’s a big part of this team’

By Trisity Miller

Apr 9, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) celebrates with guard Goran Dragic (1) against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second half at the Smoothie King Center. The Suns won 94-88. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) celebrates with guard Goran Dragic (1) against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second half at the Smoothie King Center. The Suns won 94-88. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /
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In an interview with RealGM, Suns point guard Goran Dragic revealed that he’d prefer if Eric Bledsoe, current restricted free agent at odds with the Suns because of a contract dispute, would be a member of the Suns come the 2014-15 season, stating the guard is a big part of the franchise.

From Real GM.com:

"RealGM: Do you stay in touch with Eric Bledsoe? Do you receive information about his situation and do you pay attention to it? Dragic: I follow him on Twitter. I talked with Jeff couple of weeks ago and they still didn’t know if they are going to offer him a contract. We are waiting for his decision. But I think he is a big part of this team. He was great last year and we played together well. I hope he will sign for the next year."

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The Phoenix Suns were devastating when Dragic and Bledsoe were on the floor together last season, so it’s easy to see why Dragic would prefer his backcourt partner from last season re-sign with the Phoenix Suns. According to NBA Stats, when Dragic and Bledsoe were on the floor together, the Suns posted an offensive rating of 108.4 and a defensive rating of 97.4. In comparison to the rest of the league, both of those numbers would’ve been tops in the league during the 2013-14 season.

Had Bledsoe not injured his meniscus last season, the duo likely could’ve lead the Suns to the NBA playoffs. Instead they fell short of their goal, with the Memphis Grizzlies usurping the Suns for the eighth seed in the Western Conference as the season closed out. The rumors have flown high and by in regards to Bledsoe making it difficult to project how Bledsoe’s impending free agency. On some days he’s set to accept the qualifying offer. On another, he’s at the center of trade rumors.

No one knows how this will end, but for the sake of Dragic and the Phoenix Suns, Bledsoe re-signing with the franchise that traded for him last summer would be the best possible outcome.