Eric Bledsoe rumors: Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns haven’t talked in six months, qualifying offer imminent
Things have gotten ugly between the Phoenix Suns and restricted free agent guard Eric Bledsoe.
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As free agency began, it looked like there was no chance Bledsoe wouldn’t wind up re-signing with the Suns, whether it was because the two sides came to a deal or because they matched an offer sheet he signed elsewhere.
However, Bledsoe was looking for a five-year, $80 million deal and the Suns have only offered a four-year deal worth $48 million. That has caused many to believe the Suns could sign and trade Bledsoe or Bledsoe could sign his qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next year.
Chris Haynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports there has been “zero communication” for six months and Bledsoe will almost certainly be signing the qualifying offer.
Approaching six months of "zero communication" between Suns and RFA Eric Bledsoe, league source says. Qualifying offer imminent.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) September 5, 2014
With the way this whole scenario has played out, this isn’t much of a surprise. If Bledsoe signs his qualifying offer and proves he can stay healthy for the season (he missed 39 games last season), he will be a highly-sought after player.
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. Bledsoe, who was the 18th-overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder (he was immediately dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers) has put up 8.7 points, 3.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 44.5% from the floor, 32.7% from three and 75.9% from the charity stripe.
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