NBA News: Phoenix Suns, Eric Bledsoe Finally Agree To 5-Year $70M Contract

The Phoenix Suns have agreed to a five-year $70 million contract with Eric Bledsoe on Wednesday putting an end to what was an offseason filled with drama and uncertainty for one of the up-and-coming squads in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Multiple reports have confirmed the signing putting an end to the speculations that Bledsoe will be traded to, among other teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves, which was supposedly willing to do a sign-and-trade with Phoenix.

Now it appears that the bulky combo guard is returning to the Suns to continue his backcourt partnership with another prolific guard in Goran Dragic.

Behind excellent team play and impressive showing from a young group of players led by Bledsoe and Dragic, the Suns surprised the league last season by competing for a playoff spot in the tough Western Conference despite being tagged as one of the league’s worst entering the 2013-2014 NBA season.

The contract talks between the Suns and Bledsoe took up almost the entire season with both parties even considering taking the one-year qualifying offer ($3.7 million) for Bledsoe, who would have hit unrestricted free agent (UFA) status after the 2014-2015 season had he taken the single year deal.

Initial reports in the 2014 offseason stated that the Suns offer were just around $11 million per year on a shorter deal while Bledsoe was demanding for a max contract starting at roughly $15 million a year for five years. The new deal will pay Bledsoe around $14 million per year until the 2018-2019 NBA season.

With Bledsoe back in Phoenix’s fold, the Suns can now concentrate on the upcoming season and build on their success from last year. The smallish but dangerous backcourt of Bledsoe and Dragic are expected to once again lead the squad to battling for a postseason slot this season.

Bledsoe averaged excellent all-around numbers of 17.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assist per game in 2013-2014.

Bledsoe’s re-acquisition means that the Suns will parade one of the deepest PG rotations in the entire league. Phoenix now have Bledsoe, Dragic, Isaiah Thomas and Tyler Ennis. While it appears that they are overloaded with point guards, the Suns behind head coach Jeff Hornacek prefers a small-ball backcourt featuring two point guard in stretches of the game.

With Eric Bledsoe back, can the Phoenix Suns surprise the NBA once again?

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