Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe reasons on the free agent market as a restricted player and while trades have been explored, so far no deal has gotten done and if he ends up signing the qualifying offer and hits free agency in 2015, teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics all could be interested in signing him.
ESPN.com writer Marc Stein writes that the LA Lakers could be an interesting team to watch when it comes to Bledsoe, as they see him as a potential target in trades or as a free agent next season. Stein wrote this week that Bledsoe and Dragic could be targets for the Lakers, as Bledsoe has not been able to agree on a deal and could sign a qualifying offer, making him a free agent next year with Dragic, who would also be unrestricted.
The Suns and Bledsoe have been at odds, as he is asking for a five year max deal, while Phoenix has offered him a four year deal. Bledsoe wants around $85 million, while the Suns have offered around $50 million over four years and now Bledsoe has some decisions to make. The team and his reps have looked at trade deals, but so far no sign and trade options have come up and that could lead to Bledsoe signing the qualifying offer, which would make him a free agent next summer.
Phoenix remains in a position of leverage, because in a way they don't 'need' Bledsoe since they are loaded at guard with Goran Dragic, Isaiah Thomas, Tyler Ennis and Archie Goodwin in the backcourt already. The team also realizes that Dragic will be a free agent soon and they will have to pay him as well and that means potentially dealing with issues for both Bledsoe and Dragic, which of course could lead to both leaving eventually. Dragic is coming off of a strong year and both players have spoken about how much they like playing together.
Dragic won most improved player last season and he ended up with averages of 20 points and six assists after stepping up while Bledsoe was out. Bledsoe had a solid season as well and he ended up with 17 points, five assists and four rebounds per game. Bledsoe has some injury concerns, but the Lakers could be a big team that goes after him if he makes it to the free agent market. Stein writes that the team could look at signing one of both of the players.
Bledsoe played in just 43 games last season, but he was a valuable piece for the Suns and they have said since the end of the season that they want to keep him, but clearly for only the right price. Bledsoe remains a restricted free agent on the NBA market as things move from the summer and if he doesn't sign long term with the Phoenix Suns, teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, NY Knicks, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks could be interested in signing him next summer as a free agent or pulling a trade for him down the line.