What About Bledsoe?

zimbio.com

Lebron, Lebron, Carmelo, Lebron, Bosh, Lebron, Lebron, Carmelo. That’s been the story of the NBA free agency period so far, but as Lebron packs his bags to head back home to Cleveland and Bosh and Carmelo stay put in their respective cities, there comes the crushing realization that there are still dozens of NBA players still without homes right now. One of those is former Wildcat star Eric Bledsoe, who had a breakout season (when he was on the floor) in his 1st year in Phoenix, averaging 17 points and 5 assists per game splitting duties at PG with Goran Dragic.

As the offseason has unfolded it appears the likelihood of Bledsoe returning to Phoenix has waned significantly. You can assume this considering that Phoenix chose Syracuse PG Tyler Ennis in the first round of the NBA Draft last month and just yesterday traded for Kings PG Isaiah Thomas, who averaged 20 points a game in Sacramento a season ago. With the overload in the backcourt its hard to tell how bad the Suns really want Bledsoe back, but what are his other options? 

Bledsoe is a restricted free agent, meaning that Phoenix has the option to match any contract offer Bledsoe receives in the coming weeks, and based on the market for other players with similar stats like Gordon Hayward and Chandler Parsons, the offer will probably be close to, if not, a max deal. There have been a few teams that are reportedly interested in signing Bledsoe, with Milwaukee and Miami being the teams mentioned most often. In Milwaukee, Bledsoe would have the opportunity to take a max contract (most likely) and team up with 2011 Wildcat Brandon Knight in the back court along with 2nd overall pick Jabari Parker, forming a solid young nucleus. With Miami, there isn’t a great chance to get maximum money with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the books, but there is an opportunity to run the point for the 4-time defending Eastern Conference champions, still with 2 future HOF players on roster, with a solid chance of increasing it to 5 straight this season.

All this speculation could be for nil, especially if Phoenix and their immense amount of cap space decide to retain Bledsoe. But with Dragic, Ennis, Thomas, and Ish Smith on roster, not to mention young wings like Archie Goodwin and P.J. Tucker, its hard to see where they could find the time on the court for them all.

At the end of the day what matters is that Bledsoe will more than likely become the 3rd Wildcat from the 2010 draft class to sign a maximum or near-max extension in the NBA AND I STILL HATE WEST VIRGINIA.

–@WillTottenKSR