A potential sign-and-trade involving Phoenix Suns restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe appears unlikely at this point after Suns president of basketball Lon Bobby reiterated the team's intention to re-sign Bledsoe or to match any offer sheet given to him. Bledsoe, who reportedly wants a max deal, hasn't yet received any offers from prospective teams.
Phoenix appears likely to retain Bledsoe next season. They've gone on record as saying they want to keep the point guard and would match any qualifying offer given to him. Bobby confirmed on Monday the team still feels the same way and is resolved to re-sign the 24-year-old.
"We'll continue to work as hard as we can within that restricted free agency system established by the collective bargaining agreement," Bobby said, via the Arizona Republic. "We continue to hope and expect that he will remain in a Suns uniform."
The Suns and Bledsoe appear to be about $4 million a year apart in their contract negotiations, according to both The Republic and ESPN.
"The Suns have offered Bledsoe a four-year, $48 million contract, but the point guard wants a maximum five-year, $80 million deal, league sources said," ESPN's Chris Broussard wrote Friday.
Part of Phoenix's desire to retain Bledsoe is to create a "three-headed monster," comprised of him, Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas, according to Suns coach Jeff Hornacek.
If Bledsoe is seeking a maximum-level deal, his options are limited. Philadelphia is, as of now, the only team with the salary cap space to sign Bledsoe to a deal worth around $12 million per year.
The Milwaukee Bucks, the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings also reportedly are interested in Bledsoe, but the three teams either would need to move pieces around on their rosters or entice Phoenix into a sign-and-trade.
At this point, Bledsoe's options are: 1) sign Phoenix's qualifying offer for $3.7 million and become an unrestricted free agent next summer, 2) hope a team gives him an offer sheet that Phoenix doesn't match, 3) hope Phoenix completes a sign-and-trade or 4) reach an agreement on a new contract with Phoenix.
