NBA Free Agents 2014 Rumors: Phoenix Suns Want Long-Term Deal With Eric Bledsoe; Greg Monroe to Accept Qualifying Offer
Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver reiterated that they are keen on keeping Eric Bledsoe despite receiving trade feelers for the up-and-coming guard.
In an interview with the Arizona Republic, Sarver said that they are still looking forward to sitting down with Bledsoe and his representatives again in the hope of finalizing a long-term deal.
The Suns signed former Sacramento Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas this summer and still have Goran Dragic in their roster, but Sarver insisted that Bledsoe is still a major part of the team's future.
"We value Eric as a player," Sarver said. "I hope at some point we'll be able to sit down and meet with those guys and make a deal."
The Suns offered a four-year, $48 million deal to Bledsoe, but the 24-year-old guard turned down the offer as he is looking for a maximum contract from Phoenix.
Recent reports indicated that the Suns and Bledsoe are at odds, but Sarver declined to confirm rumored rift, but admitted that the team has not talked to the former Kentucky standout over the past four months.
"Maybe that's just posturing and negotiating," Sarver said of the reports. "We haven't heard from the guy in four months, so I couldn't tell you. I do know that when he played here, he felt good about the organization, his coaching staff and his teammates at the end of the season. We had the same feelings toward him."
Meanwhile, free agent forward Greg Monroe will reportedly accept the qualifying offer from the Detroit Pistons after not getting strong interest on the free agency market this summer.
USA Today reported that the 24-year-old restricted free agent, who averaged 15.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game last season, will sign a $5.5 million qualifying offer for the 2014-15 season and become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Bledsoe, who averaged 17.7 points to go along with 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game last season, could also take the same route.
The four-year veteran could accept a one-year, $3.7 qualifying offer this summer and have the right to sign elsewhere next offseason without giving Phoenix the right to match all offer sheets.
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