Eric Bledsoe rumors: Keep an eye on Philadelphia 76ers

Phoenix Suns’ restricted free agent point guard Eric Bledsoe is looking for a max deal, which would pay him about $80 million over five years, but that doesn’t seem all that likely. The Suns, however, are reportedly only offering a four-year, $48 million deal, which could cause Bledsoe to look elsewhere.

More from NBA

Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors thinks the 76ers could be a team to watch in the hunt for Bledsoe.

"I’ve been thinking for the longest time that he’d get the max, but it’s starting to look like that might not happen. No team outside of the Sixers has enough cap room right now to give him a max offer. The Bucks or another team could open up more via trade, but that’s always easier said than done. I’m a little surprised the Sixers haven’t made an offer, though — at worst, it would tie up cap space for three days that they weren’t going to spend on free agents anyway. That would require Bledsoe sucking it up and going through major rebuilding with Philadelphia and defenses geared to stop him and him alone every night. But keep an eye on Philly here."

Although Bledsoe would have to endure a couple of rough seasons, he could complete a very talented squad that would eventually have the number three overall of this year’s draft, former Kansas Jayhawks’ big man Joel Embiid, the number 12 overall pick of this year’s draft, Croatian forward Dario Saric and Nerlens Noel in the front court with Bledsoe and the 2013-2014 Rookie of the Year, Michael Carter-Williams, in the back court.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks have also shown interest in Bledsoe.

Bledsoe averaged 17.7 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 47.7% from the field, 35.7% from beyond the arc and 77.2% from the free throw line last season.

Home/NBA