Eric Bledsoe, Suns reach $70M deal

The Phoenix Suns and restricted free-agent guard Eric Bledsoe have come to terms on a five-year, $70 million contract.

The deal is a culmination of months of talks and stalemates between the sides that ultimately resulted in Bledsoe getting the largest deal of any restricted free agent this offseason.

It represents a relief for both sides as the Suns are able to lock up one of their franchise cornerstones for the long term and Bledsoe gets security after his best season as a pro, averaging 17.7 points and 5.5 assists per game in his first season in Phoenix.

Bledsoe had planned to sign a one-year qualifying offer worth $3.7 million with the Suns at the end of this week had a deal not been reached so he could be an unrestricted free agent next year.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/11583579/eric-bledsoe-phoenix-suns-agree-five-year-contract