Kevin Love may be with the KING, but Minny’s looking at future!
One of the biggest head scratchers this off-season has been the Phoenix Suns and Eric Bledsoe’s contract rift. Both side haven’t come to terms on an agreement and it’s quietly turning into one of the messiest situations the league is keeping under-the-radar. The Minnesota Timberwolves revealed plans to make one last final push in acquiring Bledsoe, making a four-year, $63 million max deal offer to the 24-year-old rising player.
Yahoo Sources: Phoenix has no interest in Eric Bledsoe sign-and-trade discussions with Minnesota. http://t.co/fob5uaupDV
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) September 19, 2014
Under the league’s cap rules, the Timberwolves currently don’t have the space to flat-out sign him, but are willing to unload Ricky Rubio and variety of veterans currently under contract to make the deal happen. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported last night that Phoenix has no interest in a sign-and-trade with Minnesota, but if not, they could be left with nothing next free agency period. The Suns have only made a four-year, $48 million offer to Eric – significantly lower than the Timberwolves proposal. Recently appointed head coach, part owner and President of Basketball Operations Flip Saunders, has already made considerable moves for his team moving forward; getting both Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett in exchange for Kevin Love over the summer and signing Thaddeus Young in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Currently, his Timberwolves are unfortunately $6 million-plus over the salary cap and are hoping the Suns give in to trade. Phoenix is planning to sign Bledsoe to a $3.7 million qualifying offer before their first pre-season game is held in three weeks, but are afraid of losing him for nothing next summer. With Goran Dragic also playing in a contract year, the Suns didn’t make things better by picking up standout point guard Tyler Ennis in the NBA Draft and signing Isaiah Thomas to a four-year, $27 million deal in free agency. Phoenix wants to keep Bledsoe, but feels his asking price is far too steep for what they want at the present – given past injuries from last year. Even if he walks with nothing in return, at least the organization has insurance with an abundance of guards.
Let us know in the comments if you think the Suns should part ways with Bledsoe before training camp starts or if Phoenix should do everything in its power to keep him.