Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver remains unwilling to budge on his $48 million offer to restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe. Given Sarver's unwavering stance, Bledsoe appears unlikely to get his wish for a sign-and-trade.
Phoenix and Bledsoe are at a standstill: the Suns are unwilling to offer more than $48 million over four years, and Bledsoe reportedly is unwilling to accept anything less than $80 million over five years. Teams haven't offered Bledsoe anything because of the feeling Phoenix would match any offer, and Sarver seemingly reiterated the team's stance of holding firm to their initial offer.
"We think it's a fair offer," Sarver told ArizonaSports.com. "I think you could argue, you know, I mean some would say it's maybe a little high; some would say it's low. What's fair is important to us, and also important to him - him and his agent. It's not necessarily us to determine what he thinks is fair; it's him to determine that."
Sarver also indicated there's no bad blood between the two sides, and he believes Bledsoe will be in a Suns uniform next year.
"I think Eric's a great guy. And he'll be happy here when he gets here, whether that's for one year or four years or five years," Sarver said. "I think his agent's trying to do the best job he can, too. And I have a pretty good relationship with his agent. It's just part of the process. I wish it would have been resolved earlier, but it is what it is."
With the exception of the Philadelphia 76ers, no teams presently have the salary cap space to offer Bledsoe the maximum deal he purportedly wants. The Milwaukee Bucks and the Houston Rockets were mentioned as possible suitors for the point guard, but neither team is likely to tie up money for a couple days to make an offer to Bledsoe that Phoenix would likely match.
Bledsoe's options, barring Phoenix completing a sign-and-trade or declining to match a potential offer, are to either play for one year, risk injury and become an unrestricted free agent next summer or reach some type of long-term agreement with the Suns.
