Eric Bledsoe rumors: Likely to settle for Phoenix Suns' offer?

The Phoenix Suns would love to keep restricted free agent but the two sides cannot come to an agreement. The Suns are reportedly offering Bledsoe a four-year, $48 million deal while he is looking a for a contract worth about $80 million over five years.

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There are a few explanations for a reported lack of interest. Teams have reportedly been scared off by his injury history and may have been weary to make an offer because the Suns have planned to match all offers.

Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders believes Bledsoe will eventually accept the Suns’ offer with the potential addition of a player option.

"I think Bledsoe will settle for the $12-million-per-year contract on the table or something similar, but try to get some player options added in there so that he can test free agency again in the near future, when the salary cap is expected to be significantly higher and the new collective bargaining agreement is in place. I can’t see Bledsoe signing for the qualifying offer; it’s just too risky. It’s terrifying for any player to delay a huge payday and ink a one-year deal, but even more so for Bledsoe given his injury history, as you said. Signing the qualifying offer would be a huge mistake, in my opinion."

Kennedy is right about the qualifying offer – Bledsoe needs to get paid long-term now in case injuries creep back up.

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. In his career, he’s put up 8.7 points, 3.4 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting 44.5% from the field, 32.7% from three and 75.9% from the free throw line.

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Eric Bledsoe rumors: Likely to settle for Phoenix Suns’ offer?

By Andrew Melnick | Jul 25, 2014