The Phoenix Suns reportedly might consider offering restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe a bigger contract, which would tether Bledsoe to Phoenix for the next couple years and end any pursuit by the Los Angeles Lakers for him as a free agent in July.
Los Angeles might not have the chance to sign Bledsoe as a free agent next summer after all. Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors believes Phoenix will give Bledsoe a new contract offer before the Oct. 1 deadline for him to sign his qualifying offer, which would make him an unrestricted free agent in July.
Per Myron:
"(The negotiations are) all going through agent Rich Paul. I know LeBron (James) implored the Suns to 'break bread,' but since LeBron is Paul's client, it came off as a PR stunt. I think Phoenix would like to negotiate, and I think they'd come up at least a little from four years and $48MM. I think the Suns and Paul will revisit the issue and strike an 11th hour deal for the long-term, but that's more of a hunch than anything else."
Bledsoe is aiming high by purportedly insisting on a max-level contract in the ballpark of $80 million, a number that not many teams - if any - would value him at. While playing two point guards on the court together is arguably becoming a trend, it seems unlikely Phoenix would shell out big money for both Bledsoe and Goran Dragic, whom all signs indicate Phoenix plans to re-sign.
If Bledsoe did become a free agent next summer, the Lakers are likely to pursue him at a more reasonable price. Although point guard Jeremy Lin could thrive under coach Byron Scott and play his way into a new contract, the Lakers will likely look at all available options in next years free agent class, which could include Bledsoe and Rajon Rondo.
