Sources: Eric Bledsoe, Suns make progress in contract talks

After a summer of stalled discussions, the Phoenix Suns and restricted free-agent guard Eric Bledsoe have progressed significantly in contract talks with hopes of reaching an extension before the start of training camp, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Suns general manager Ryan McDonough and Bledsoe's representatives with Klutch Sports have gathered momentum in discussions over the past two to three days, and Wednesday is expected to be crucial in the push for the sides to finalize a deal, league sources said.

Bledsoe failed to find a maximum contract offer on the restricted free-agency market, and his reps spent most of the summer unwilling to negotiate off the $12 million annual salary the Suns had offered in July.

Minnesota tried to engage the Suns in sign-and-trade talks for Bledsoe in the past week, but those never gained traction.

The Suns are believed to have pushed an initial four-year, $48 million offer into the $50 million range, sources said.

Bledsoe's agent Rich Paul has been threatening to have his client sign a $3.7 million qualifying offer that would allow Bledsoe to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Bledsoe, 24, averaged 17.7 points and 5.5 assists for the Suns last season. He missed half the season with knee surgery to repair a meniscus injury, the second such surgery of his career. Phoenix acquired Bledsoe from the Los Angeles Clippers in a trade in the summer of 2013.

To fortify for Bledsoe's possible departure, the Suns signed free agent Isaiah Thomas and drafted Syracuse's Tyler Ennis.

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