NBA Trade Rumors: Eric Bledsoe Could Be On The Move After Contract Talks With Phoenix Sputter

The NBA trade rumors have been pretty much nonstop for Eric Bledsoe dating back to his time as Chris Paul’s backup in Los Angeles, and new reports indicate that the Minnesota Timberwolves are trying to secure the Phoenix Suns guard.

Sources close to the Timberwolves say the team is making a push to acquire Bledsoe in a sign-and-trade deal with the Suns. Bledsoe has been locked in contract negotiations with the Suns, and appears to be staled. The Suns are reportedly offering a four-year, $48 million contract extension, while Bledsoe wants a max deal for five years and $85 million.

Many believe Eric Bledsoe will sign his $3.7 million qualifying offer for the next season and become an unrestricted agent next year, but it appears the Timberwolves don’t want to wait that long.

New NBA trade rumors indicate that the Wolves are offering a deal for four years and $63 million, but they can only do that through a sign-and-trade deal due to their cap restrictions.

The teams had been engaged in trade talks earlier this summer, before Kevin Love was dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Love would have been the major part of the initial Eric Bledsoe trade, but the Timberwolves still covet the point guard. In Minnesota he would serve as a running mate to No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins, who was shipped to the Timberwolves in the Love trade.

Eric Bledsoe averaged 17.7 points and 5.5 assists in 43 games for the Suns last year, though lost a stretch after injuring his right knee and requiring surgery.

There are other NBA trade rumors surrounding Eric Bledsoe. The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly been trying to land the guard, though may be taking a different path than Minnesota. Sources say the Lakers were hoping to wait out the impasse between Bledsoe and the Suns and land him in free agency next year, but with Minnesota stepping up they may now have to be more aggressive if they want to land him.