Eric Bledsoe rumors: Expected to sign qualifying offer

By Andrew Melnick | Sep 18, 2014

Apr 6, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) against the Oklahoma City Thunder at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Thunder 122-115. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

The Phoenix Suns and restricted free agent guard Eric Bledsoe still haven’t agreed to a deal. In fact, all indications are that the two aren’t close to a deal and there is speculation Bledsoe will follow Detroit Pistons’ big man Greg Monroe’s lead and sign his qualifying offer in order to become an unrestricted free agent in 2015.

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In fact, Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders expects Bledsoe to sign the qualifying offer.

"I think he’s going to sign the qualifying offer and then be an unrestricted free agent next summer, just like Greg Monroe."

Bledsoe isn’t quite in the same situation as Monroe. Not only is Monroe’s qualifying offer worth almost $2 million more than Bledsoe but Monroe doesn’t have an injury history like Bledose. For both of those reasons, it is more important for Bledsoe to secure a long-term deal than Monroe at this point.

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 four-year NBA career, the 18th-overall pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA draft, has averaged 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 75.8% from the charity stripe.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league as we get you ready for the start of the 2014-2015 season.

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