Phoenix Suns restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe is unlikely to end up with the Cleveland Cavaliers, either in a sign-and-trade this season or as an unrestricted free agent in the summer.
Bledsoe remains at a standstill with Phoenix over his contract. He's yet to sign his qualifying offer, seemingly out of hope the Suns are able to find a sign-and-trade partner for him. While the Suns are reportedly open to moving the disgruntled point guard, one destination Bledsoe is unlikely to land is Cleveland.
"Bledsoe (along with many other young up-and-comers around the league) would love to join LeBron (James) during this phase of his career," Sam Amico of Fox Sports wrote Wednesday, as transcribed by Fansided. "LeBron will be 30 in December. So he's the hero of a lot of young guys entering the league. Playing with him would be a dream come true.
"That said, do I think Bledsoe will come to Cleveland someday? No. Not unless he's willing to take a paycut and come off the bench behind Dion Waiters and Kyrie Irving. And even I would advise Bledsoe against that."
In a sign-and-trade scenario, Cleveland has little reason to trade for Bledsoe. Irving isn't going anywhere, and James - seemingly the team's de facto general manager - reportedly doesn't want Waiters traded. The Cavaliers are unlikely to send forward Tristan Thompson and two 2015 first-round picks to Phoenix for Bledsoe, a player who'd demand a hefty contract while likely coming off the bench or being relegated to the team's fourth scoring option.
Money purportedly is the reason Bledsoe hasn't yet signed with Phoenix. Bledsoe supposedly wants something along the lines of a maximum deal, worth approximately $80 million over five years while the Suns believe he's worth only $48 million over four years. Even if they could, Cleveland wouldn't pay him - even as a free agent - for a role they could fill with a veteran for less money.
Besides, Cleveland has more pressing needs than another backcourt player. The limited salary cap space Cleveland has is expected to be used on a big man - such as Denver nuggets center JaVale McGee or free agent Emeka Okafor - who can protect the rim.
