The Eric Bledsoe saga continues as the restricted free-agent point guard remains unsigned up to this point of the free-agency period. Now, there are rumors circulating that the Milwaukee Bucks are interested to work on a sign-and-trade with the Phoenix Suns for the disgruntled playmaker.
Bledsoe, who is coming off a breakout year after averaging 17.7 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game last season, is reportedly not keen on signing a four-year, $48 million offer the Suns is putting on the table.
Acquired by the Suns in a three-team trade with the Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks last summer, the former Kentucky Wildcats standout is demanding a max contract that would pay him roughly $15 million per year (five-year, $80 million deal).
Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders tackled this issue during a chat session a couple of weeks ago, and he believed there's no team other than the Philadelphia 76ers - which is not interested in Bledsoe - with the financial capacity to sign him to a max deal directly.
The Bucks, who boast tons of assets, are reportedly open to pull off a sign-and-trade deal, but the Suns remain adamant in their stance not to let Bledsoe walk away. With Bledsoe's restricted free-agency status, the Suns have the leverage to retain his service by convincing him to sign their offer or a one-year qualifying contract worth roughly $3 million.
"The Suns have sort of addressed this... they are planning for Eric to be back either on a new deal with them or on the Qualifying Offer. They'd like for it to be a new deal, but it has to be on their terms. Currently no one in the market place can offer more (outside of Philly who is not interested) than Phoenix is offering and frankly $12 million per is likely the right price for Bledsoe," Kyler stated during the chat session.
"As for the sign and trade stuff. I can tell you the Bucks would be very interested. The Lakers and Houston is Eric's side trying to drum up a better offer. As you point out, there is nothing there that makes sense for Phoenix."
The Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers have also expressed interest in acquiring Bledsoe via sign-and-trade, but these teams just don't have enough assets to make an offer appealing for the Suns.
Under the guidance of head coach Jeff Hornacek, the Suns had a surprising run last year with 48 wins and are expected to contend for one of the playoff spots in the Western Conference next year.
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