Phoenix Suns expect Eric Bledsoe to be elite

By Andrew Melnick | Sep 25, 2014

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 /

After months of questions, the Phoenix Suns and guard Eric Bledsoe agreed to a five-year, $70 million deal. The Suns shelled out a lot more money than they originally wanted (they reportedly offered him a four-year, $48 million deal at the start of free agency) and they expect Bledsoe to become an elite player.

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“I learned long ago that it doesn’t matter how stormy the sea is as long as the ship comes in and today we are thrilled that the ship has come in and Eric will remain a Sun for a long time,” said President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby via Suns.com. “He will be an integral part not only of our basketball team, but our Phoenix community.”

“We are thrilled Eric Bledsoe will be in a Phoenix Suns uniform for years to come,” said General Manager Ryan McDonough. “Eric is one the most exciting and dynamic two-way players in the league. He played very well for us on both ends of the floor last season and we feel he is well on his way to establishing himself as one of the elite players in the NBA.”

The Suns finally paid Bledsoe and now it’s his turn to prove he is worth it.

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.

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