Bledsoe returning to the Suns for $70 million

[Andrew]

Sources: Eric Bledsoe reaches agreement on $70M deal with Suns

Restricted free-agent guard Eric Bledsoe has reached agreement on a five-year, $70 million contract extension with the Phoenix Suns, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

The deal will include no player options, and the $70 million will be fully guaranteed, a source said.

Bledsoe and his agent Rich Paul arrived in Phoenix on Wednesday to meet with Suns management and try to clear the final hurdles toward a new contract, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Communication between Bledsoe and the Suns has been non-existent through a summer stalemate in extension talks and Wednesday's visit with Suns executives was a significant development in the final thawing needed to close on a new deal.

Bledsoe hadn't been back in Phoenix since the Suns' season ended in April.

That's quite an expensive logjam at point guard. One assumes that Hornacek will be mixing things up with some small ball this season.

[Alpha_]

I thought he's going to be traded to the T-Wolves.

[NovU]

He's probably closer to a PG than a SG but his athleticism somehow allowed him to play the position effectively alongside Dragic last season(thx to Dragic's ability to shoot, something Eric can't do well from outside). It looks like he'll play mostly at SG this year once again as there is literally no other player you could call a 'natural' SG by position. Eric / Dragic / Isaiah rotation it is with Gerald Green filling in for the SG position time to time. Outside of Green, this 3 PG rotation at 1-2 sounds bit too small and give up quite a bit of size against today's NBA backcourt units. They could kill with speed but sure lacks the length.

As for the signing, I guess the Suns were left with no other option as only this would have made Bledsoe happy. They're heavily paying for his potential but one good thing is that the Suns will keep him during early stage of his prime. With improvement from last season, this signing could turn out to be a worthy one.

[Kevin]

Damn that's a lot of money. Was he the guy dubbed "Mini-LeBron"?

[Andrew]

According to Basketball Reference, that is indeed his nickname.

[NovU]

Suns sign Zoran Dragic

Goran's brother signs. Two pairs of brothers on the team now, Markieff/Morris & Goran/Zoran.

[shadowgrin]

Suns should trade for Blake Griffin then bring back Taylor Griffin. Also trade for Miles Plumlee.

[[Q]]

Suns sign Zoran Dragic

Goran's brother signs. Two pairs of brothers on the team now, Markieff/Morris & Goran/Zoran.

Would be cool to have a Morris/Morris/Dragic/Dragic/Bledsoe lineup!

[Murat]

From 48 million-4 year to 70 million-5 year.

Interesting

[Lamrock]

Suns should trade for Blake Griffin then bring back Taylor Griffin. Also trade for Miles Plumlee.

Also bring Joey Graham and Stephen Graham back from retirement, Europe, exile or whatever they've been up to lately.

Not crazy about this for Phoenix. They were good last season, and would have made the playoffs had Bledsoe missed half the year. However, that's the problem - he's injury prone and he may be a torn meniscus or two away from Brandon Roy status. Forcing Dragic out of position isn't such a concern but why did they draft Tyler Ennis if they were to sign a PG and extend another?

I guess my point is that giving a long term deal fit for an all star is a stretch for the someone with as many question marks as Bledsoe.

[NovU]

Don't forget Hansbrough brothers, pshycho T would be disappointed.

Tyler Ennis was a disaster in the same way Napier was for the Heat during the summer. I don't think either has that positive impact guy outlook from the first season. The Suns wants to compete now so these were sensible moves. They are a potential playoffs team with Eric in tough Western Conference. Without, you are going into a rebuilding mode. Way more teams were able to build a contender from mediocrity than from scratch, so this is the path that they decided to take. It's not like Eric's overrated or anything. He's promising and young. I'm fine with small market team taking a gamble on Injury prone fate. Stephen Curry turned out fine though everyone told me his ankle was jelly and glassy so I was stupid taking chance on glass-ankle-pedo in 4th round of NLSC Fantasy League. I ended up winning the league that season as Curry produced to be a #3 overall pick worthy guy only behind Bron & KD, 4th rounder turning out to be a #3 guy, mmmhmm. In your face, jao & velvet!

[bowdown]

He has the potential to be worth that much with good health and continued growth as a young player.