The Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly are dreaming of a backcourt manned by restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe and Andrew Wiggins. With Minnesota supposedly pursuing a sign-and-trade for Bledsoe with the Phoenix Suns, Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio could be on his way out.
With Bledsoe still in restricted free agency limbo, the Timberwolves appear ready to make a move for him.
"With just days before the start of training camp, the Minnesota Timberwolves are making a final push to acquire restricted free-agent guard Eric Bledsoe in a sign-and-trade with the Phoenix Suns, sources told ESPN.com," ESPN's Brian Windhorst wrote Friday. "The Wolves are offering Bledsoe the four-year, $63 million maximum level contract that he has been seeking, sources said, but because of cap restrictions, the only way he can join the team as currently constructed is through a sign-and-trade deal."
Windhorst added the Timberwolves see Bledsoe "as a strong running mate to their new franchise player," Wiggins.
Bledsoe still hasn't signed his qualifying offer, seemingly out of the hope Phoenix trades him before the start of the season. The disconnect between Bledsoe and the Suns is money: Phoenix wants to give him four years, $48 million and he purportedly wants around $80 million over five years. While Phoenix wants to keep him, they would at least consider trading Bledsoe for the right offer as opposed to letting him walk for nothing as an unrestricted free agent next summer.
The problem is not many teams - aside from, reportedly, the Timberwolves - view Bledsoe as being worth anywhere close to a maximum deal.
Adrian Wojnarowski reported shortly after Windhorst on Friday that the Suns have "no interest" in doing a sign-and-trade with Minnesota.
If a deal were to happen, it's uncertain what Minnesota would offer. It might include Rubio, who becomes a restricted free agent next summer. While playing two point guards together is a growing trend in the NBA, Rubio purportedly wants a maximum contract that Minnesota doesn't want to give. Including Rubio in the swap would work for both teams.
