Report: Phoenix Suns And Eric Bledsoe Relationship Close To "Irreparable"

A new wrinkle in the Eric Bledsoe free agency saga arose today, when a story by Chris Haynes of Comcast SportsNet reported that the Phoenix Suns and Eric Bledsoe's relationship has begun to sour.

According to the story, a source with knowledge of the situation reported that the contract talks have apparently become strained, and that the "relationship is on the express lane to being ruined."

The source mentioned that the two sides are still "very far apart", in regard to the ongoing contract negotiations that have been taking place since the beginning of free agency.  According to the story, "the effort by the Suns to undermine Bledsoe’s market is what has angered Bledsoe and his reps and led to a standoff in which the relationship is now on the verge of being irreparable, we’re told."

It's unclear of course who the source is, however, and just how close to the negotiations they actually are.  Could this be an authentic reflection of the current state of negotiations that has nearly frustrated Bledsoe to the point of wanting to leave Phoenix?

Certainly.

However, could this also be an intentional leak by Bledsoe's camp to put additional pressure on the Suns to increase their offer?  Or, could this simply be someone's opinion of a recent statement by Eric Bledsoe himself in which he appeared to express frustration over the Suns' using his restricted free agency to their benefit?  Yes on both possibilities.

The point is, we just don't know.

In fact, just yesterday, Kevin Zimmerman from another reputable Suns' blog, Valley of the Suns, reported that Bledsoe and the Suns were still negotiating, and that talks had not broken down to the point of a stalemate.

If this new report is correct, then the situation seems to have suddenly taken a turn for the worse.  However, until we hear from the man himself, or something on the record from either side, they are all still just rumors at this point.