PHOENIX SUNS

The Pulse: Fans say Suns need to negotiate smaller contract with Eric Bledsoe

Jul 29, 2014, 11:59 PM | Updated: 11:59 pm

Every day, ArizonaSports.com asks readers a question. It’s the Sanderson Ford Poll Question of the Day, and it can be found midway down the right side of our home page.

On Monday, July 28, we asked what the Phoenix Suns should do with restricted free agent guard Eric Bledsoe, offering five options from which voters could choose.

Two answers stood out from the rest, but the prevailing one was, “Continue to negotiate a smaller deal.” Forty-seven percent (518 total) of the 1,095 voters chose this option.

ESPN’s Chris Broussard reported on July 17 that Bledsoe and his agent were asking for a max deal of five years and $80 million, while the Suns offered a four-year, $48 million deal.

Our poll suggests that readers think the four-year guard is asking for more than he’s worth. This might also be why the second-most popular option was, “Explore sign-and-trade possibilities,” which got 36 percent of the vote. If Bledsoe will only stay in Phoenix for that much money, the team might as well trade him for another asset(s), some readers essentially say.

The third-most popular answer was, “Let him sign one-year qualifying offer,” with 12 percent of voters (131 total) clicking on that one. If that were to happen, Bledsoe would finish out his current contract at a lot lower salary than he could earn in a new deal, but he would become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2014-15 year.

Only 3 percent (31 people) of voters said to give him a max deal, while 2 percent (18 total) clicked on “Other.” That latter option could include such scenarios as signing him to the qualifying offer but making sure to deal him before the trade deadline, or perhaps letting another team make him an offer now and then matching it — banking on it not being an $80 million deal, of course.

Phoenix Suns

Isaiah Thomas...

Dan Bickley

Isaiah Thomas signing is a wild swing for Suns in desperate times

Isaiah Thomas is a born fighter. He’s beaten the odds. The chip on his shoulder is permanent. It’s easy to rally around a player like him.

4 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Are the Phoenix Suns superstars done with Frank Vogel?

On Monday's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley asks the question if the Suns' superstars have had bad body language recently and if it's because they want Frank Vogel gone.

9 hours ago

Dalton Knecht, Tennessee...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should be watching during March Madness

The Phoenix Suns are slated to have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and they could select one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament.

22 hours ago

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

1 day ago

Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Footp...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Josh Okogie out for matchup vs. Bucks, Antetokounmpo also out

Phoenix Suns' Josh Okogie is out for Sunday's game against the Bucks. Okogie has missed the past seven games with a lower abdominal strain.

1 day ago

Isaiah Thomas...

Damon Allred

Isaiah Thomas to return to Suns on 10-day contract, per report

Nearly two years since his last NBA minutes, point guard Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

2 days ago

The Pulse: Fans say Suns need to negotiate smaller contract with Eric Bledsoe