Phoenix Suns rumors: Eric Bledsoe’s asking price to fall?
By Bryan Rose
While the Phoenix Suns may be willing to talk about a sign-and-trade scenario involving restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe, their preference could be to sit on their hands.
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The two sides have struggled to find middle ground on a contract extension with Eric Bledsoe all but scoffing at Phoenix’s four-year, $48 million dollar contract. Suns owner Robert Sarver recently suggested Eric Bledsoe hadn’t spoken to the organization in four months and the only word from Bledsoe’s camp was that he felt Phoenix was attempting to use restricted free agency against him.
Needless to say, the situation hasn’t been a good one and the lack of a contract has reportedly forced the Phoenix Suns into considering sign-and-trade scenarios. However, Larry Coon of Basketball Insiders believes that the Phoenix Suns are simply waiting for Eric Bledsoe’s asking price to fall.
"The Suns are betting that Bledsoe’s asking price will come down over time."
Such a sentiment could ring true but the Phoenix Suns would be taking a significant risk because Bledsoe could sign a one-year, qualifying offer. That would not only make him an unrestricted free agent at season end, but he’d also have a full no-trade clause meaning the Suns couldn’t move him without his permission.
Do the Suns want to play that game of chicken? Many would argue they’d be best served by moving him now rather than taking such a risk, though they’re likely dealing with low-ball offers considering most know the Phoenix Suns don’t have much leverage in a trade scenario.