Restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe remains far apart in contract talks with the Phoenix Suns. While reports thus far have indicated Phoenix is adamant about not trading Bledsoe, a new report from Fox Sports claims the Suns now are reconsidering that stance, opening up the possibility of the Milwaukee Bucks pursuing for a sign-and-trade before training camp starts.
Bledsoe and Phoenix disagree over whether he is a max contract player. The 24-year-old believes he is worth at least $80 million, but the Suns feel he is worth only $48 million, leading to a standstill between the two sides.
A number of teams, including Milwaukee and the Houston Rockets, reportedly are interested in acquiring Bledsoe but haven't yet made an offer to him out of the belief Phoenix would match any offer given.
With training camp around the corner, though, local Fox sportscaster Jude LaCava told FoxSports 910 Phoenix was now "open for business" with Bledsoe and is considering trade options for him.
"I'll tell you this, and I think this is the first time it's reported, I do believe in my NBA sources," LaCava said Wednesday, via SB Nation. "You can take this to the bank, so to speak, the Suns are now discussing trade possibilities for Eric Bledsoe.
"That's the new chapter to this and I wouldn't back off that information. I think it's 100 (percent) correct."
Milwaukee reportedly is interested in Bledsoe, seemingly viewing him as an upgrade over Brandon Knight. The Bucks, presently with $56.357 million on the books, could potentially offer Bledsoe a contract worth around $11 million per year - less than a max deal, but still a sizeable raise from Phoenix's qualifying offer.
At least one NBA insider, though, doesn't think a Bledsoe trade will happen.
"As far as an Eric Bledsoe trade, I don't know if we'll see one," Alex Kennedy of BasketballInsiders.com wrote Wednesday. "Phoenix hasn't been open to discussing sign-and-trade possibilities and if Bledsoe decides to sign for the one-year qualifying offer, he would have a no-trade clause. It's possible that he gets moved but unlikely, in my opinion."
If Phoenix chooses not to trade Bledsoe, he essentially has two options: 1) come to a compromise on a new contract with the Suns, or 2) sign the qualifying offer, risk injury and become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
