Eric Bledsoe is still unsigned, but with the latest report saying that his agent is unwilling to waver from his demand of a max contract, it appears more and more likely that he’ll play next season under a one-year qualifying offer in Phoenix.
That’s quite a risk for someone with Bledsoe’s history of injury, but there’s also a substantial reward to be had if Bledsoe can remain healthy and perform at a career-best level in the season before he can become an unrestricted free agent.
Bledsoe’s agent is Rich Paul, who also just happens to represent the game’s best player in LeBron James. Not surprisingly, LeBron would like nothing more than for his friend to achieve a maximum level of success, so he took to Instagram to gently suggest that the Suns step up and pay Bledsoe what he’s asking.
“Great work today lil bro @ebled2!! Future All-Star in this league in no time. PHX break bread. #Klutch #Work #GymRats #StriveForGreatness”
Now, “break bread” could mean that LeBron would like the Suns to re-open negotiations on a max deal over a meal, or it could simply mean that he wants the team to break off some additional money for Bledsoe so that a deal could take place.
Setting aside how inappropriate it is for LeBron (or any player) to publicly champion the cause of another in contract negotiations, the message is clear: LeBron wants his agent to succeed in negotiating deals for players other than himself, and he isn’t afraid to jump in ever so slightly to help in any way he can.