Eric Bledsoe rumors: Milwaukee Bucks still open to trade?
By Bryan Rose
When free agency broke this past June, the Milwaukee Bucks were one of the first teams linked to restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe.
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Of course, his restricted status and the fact that the Phoenix Suns were adamant that they’d match any offer forced the Bucks to look elsewhere. However, now nearly three months later, Eric Bledsoe still sits without a contract and at an impasse, the Phoenix Suns are said to be exploring potential sign-and-trade options for the young guard.
Might it be nothing more than an attempt to get Eric Bledsoe to sign on the dotted line? It’s possible, though if he is really available might the Milwaukee Bucks make an effort to acquire him via trade?
It’s possible, though Steve Kyler notes that he doesn’t believe the Milwaukee Bucks would be willing to pay the maximum if they did so.
.@DannyCardinali: Any Chance Milwaukee does a sign and trade for Eric Bledsoe? <-- I think they would, but not at MAX money.
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) August 25, 2014
After waiting all of this time, it seems doubtful that Eric Bledsoe would opt to take less than max money to agree on a sign-and-trade deal to the Milwaukee Bucks when he could get paid the same amount (essentially) by the Phoenix Suns. The only reason one could see him actually doing so would be if he thought the Milwaukee Bucks, now with Jabari Parker, have a brighter future than the Phoenix Suns and that seems doubtful.
Kyler went on to note that he believes it’s more likely that Eric Bledsoe signs the qualifying offer with the Suns and that the offer is not currently on the table.