Another day another rumor regarding Eric Bledsoe. The point guard continues to sit unsigned, unwilling to accept the one-year qualifying off, unable to negotiate a long-term contract. The Phoenix Suns have named their price. Bledsoe has named his and now both sides are in a staring match waiting for the other to blink. Bledsoe is very aware that he could be with a new team either this year or next and several franchises are lining to make a move when the time comes.
The Suns have offered a four-year, $48 million deal. Bledsoe wants more and is not budging. He wants the five-year max contract, something he feels he has earned. That is why the point guard remains a restricted free agent with training camp and the preseason looming just around the corner. According to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, the two sides have made progress on negotiations over the past two days, but no deal is in place yet. NBA sources believes that because of durability issues, Bledsoe might simply be forced into a one-year or two-year deal with Phoenix in order to become an unrestricted free agent. If he just simply signs the qualifying offer, the Los Angeles Lakers are ready to be the favorites to sign him.
According to David Aldridge of NBA.com, Bledsoe ideally wants to play for Los Angeles in the future and the Lakers feel the same way. The Lakers are looking for a long-term option at the point guard position. Steve Nash will likely retire at the end of this season. Jeremy Lin will be an unrestricted free agent and someone the Lakers will not make a priority unless they have no other choice. That means Bledsoe is the favorite to land the job. Los Angeles will certainly have the cap space to give him the max offer and he can take over as the immediate starter of the franchise.
Bledsoe to the Lakers can only happen if the point guard signs the qualifying offer. The Lakers cannot make a trade at this point, they simply lack the assets to get a deal done that Phoenix would agree to. However, next summer they have plenty of money to spend as long as Bledsoe is actually available. Kobe Bryant will be healthy. They will have developing star Jabari Parker and Nick Young's scoring. The situation would be ideal.
