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Eric Bledsoe rumors: How much is Bledsoe worth?

By Andrew Melnick

Mar 14, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) dribbles the ball against the Boston Celtics during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) dribbles the ball against the Boston Celtics during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Phoenix Suns entered the offseason with the goal of re-signing guard Eric Bledsoe. The Suns dealt for Bledsoe a year ago and although he was bothered by injuries and missed 39 games, he helped make the Suns one of the most improved teams in the league – they finished 48-34 and just missed out on the postseason. However, the Suns and Bledsoe, a restricted free agent, have been unable to come to a deal. Bledsoe is looking for a five-year, $80 million contract while the Suns have only offered him a four-year, $48 million deal.

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Jesse Blancarte of Basketball Insiders believes Bledsoe is worth more than the Suns’ have offered.

"Considering all of this, it seems clear that Bledsoe is worth more than the four-year, $48 million contract that Phoenix is currently offering him. He is similarly skilled and has the same potential to improve as players like Wall and Irving, who both signed near max deals. While a player like Lowry puts up numbers similar to Bledsoe, Wall and Irving, he is 28 years old and does not have the same potential for improvement, which shows in the size of his contract in comparison to Wall and Irving. And for a player like Paul, who has been universally considered the best point guard in the league for several years, his value goes beyond his on court production. Paul is able to get other free agents to take less money to join him on the Clippers, offers unmatched leadership and adds credibility to a team that has suffered a long history of futility."

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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