Eric Bledsoe [RFA]

[Cap]

He has no leverage. Getting an offer sheet from another team is leverage against a team that's lowballing you. The Suns aren't.

[Cap]

David Nurse @ HoopsHype: Is Eric Bledsoe a No. 1 guy?

[In2ition]

I remember meeting David Nurse at a coaching clinic about 7 years ago. He had some good stuff, and a smart guy.

[Xylus]

#teampaybledsoe

[Superbone]

#teampaybledsoe

I'm not sure what that means. Of course he's going to get paid. If you're saying just give him the max, I heartily disagree.

[Xylus]

#teampaybledsoe

I'm not sure what that means. Of course he's going to get paid. If you're saying just give him the max, I heartily disagree.

It doesn't really mean much of anything other than I really want this whole Bledsoe situation resolved already.

When the 4/$48mil offer was first revealed, I thought it was a fair offer. The more time that passes, the more nervous I get that that same offer is going to send Bledsoe into unrestricted free agency next summer. I know that it's not usually necessary to big against yourself, but I think the Suns need to up the offer to $13-$14 mil a year and show Bledsoe that they are serious about keeping him. Raising the offer when there's no real need to will assauge any potential strife between the two sides. Essentially, I just really want Bledsoe to be in a Suns uniform next season. These negotiations are making me anxious, and it's probably a good thing that I don't work for the Suns' FO.

[INFORMER]

I know that it's not usually necessary to big against yourself, but I think the Suns need to up the offer to $13-$14 mil a year and show Bledsoe that they are serious about keeping him. Raising the offer when there's no real need to will assauge any potential strife between the two sides.

(Groan)

[Xylus]

[Mori Chu]

Xylus: There is no way that he'd take the QO, not with his injury history. Waiting him out is the smartest option. You might say that every day he isn't signed will just make him madder, but I'd say that the damage is already done. Might as well stick to our guns at this point. The current offer on the table is fair.

[INFORMER]

That would be awesome if he took the QO.

[Superbone]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/n ... /13608669/

Offer for Eric Bledsoe is fair, execs and agents say

Various quotes in the article:

Four current NBA executives and two prominent agents were anonymously unanimous in their belief that the Suns made a fair offer to Bledsoe and that he does not merit a maximum-salary contract now.

One executive considered $48 million to be more than enough.

"I'm surprised that they would offer him that much," he said. "They don't need to. It is really fair and, in fact, generous. He is talented, but he has never put it together very long, and he hasn't been healthy. It's hard to turn your team over to him."

With skepticism of his decision-making and perimeter shooting, his athleticism becomes a key for his outstanding defense, drives and transition ability, but that is tainted by two right-knee surgeries.

One executive and one agent said they could see paying him slightly more than Phoenix's offer, but only approaching $13 million per year.

"He expected way too much," another executive said. "They built up his head, and it gets him out of whack. I'd love to have him, but he's not a max player. All it takes is one team, but one team hasn't made him an offer sheet."

...

"There is no way anyone in a million years could say the Suns are being unfair," an agent said. "Nobody can blame the Suns at all."

[Bruiser]

Very small piece of information here but it might indicate that Suns vs. Lakers negotiations regarding deals for Bledsoe might be cooling of a bit. I know, some undrafted Rookie != Eric Bledsoe, but still...

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2014 ... gns-Lakers

[In2ition]

I am in the camp that sides with there may never have been any serious negotiations with the Lakers.

[Superbone]

Sounds like a bluff to me.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/ ... ing-offer/

Report: ‘Looking like’ Eric Bledsoe will take Suns’ qualifying offer

Eric Bledsoe expressed dissatisfaction. Then, someone in his camp took the rhetoric to a whole other level.

Meanwhile, Suns owner Robert Sarver maintains Phoenix’s contract offer – reportedly worth $48 million over four years – is fair.

Safe to say, Bledsoe’s restricted free agency is not moving toward a resolution.

But how far apart are he and the Suns? Would Bledsoe really accept his one-year, $3,726,966 qualifying offer?

Chris Broussard of ESPN:
https://twitter.com/Chris_Broussard/statuses/496773067264503808 Read more...

[Superbone]

https://twitter.com/Gambo987/statuses/496783554462756864

[Cap]

If he plays for the QO, he'd need to get a contract next season that pays more than $44M over the first three years just to break even with the Suns' offer. To turn a profit by taking the QO, he'd basically have to renegotiate the CBA.

[TOO]

Cannot see how Bledsoe passes up 48m, no way.

[INFORMER]

Here's hoping he does.

[Mori Chu]

If he takes that QO, he is an idiot.

[Mori Chu]

Everywhere that I have seen articles or posts about this situation, the user comments are like 99% in favor of not raising our offer and sticking to the 4/48. Nobody wants to max this guy out.