Phoenix Suns extend qualifying offers to restricted free agents Eric Bledsoe and P.J. Tucker

The Suns were one of the biggest surprises of the 2013-14 NBA season, going from the bottom of the West to the doorstep of the playoffs. Eric Bledsoe - who the Suns acquired from the Clippers before the season began - and P.J. Tucker - who the Suns plucked from Summer League two years ago - were two of the key parts of that turnaround, and now both are restricted free agents.

General Manager Ryan McDonough has maintained all along that both players are included in the Suns' plan for the future, and the Suns took the first step towards making that happen on Friday as the team has announced that it extended qualifying offers to both players.

This means that the Suns now have the right to match any offer sheets the players sign with other teams. The Suns cannot officially start conversations with the players' agents about re-signing with the team until July 1, but this does mean the team has control over both players when free agency begins.

Bledsoe and Tucker are both quality players that could have multiple suitors come July, and if either one or both of the players sign a big offer sheet, the Suns could have a difficult decision on their hands.