Greg Monroe and Eric Bledsoe are still unsigned at this point, but both restricted free agents might take the qualifying offers from their respective teams and delay free agency.
Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today reported that Monroe, a restricted free agent this summer, will sign the one-year, $5.48 million qualifying offer from the Detroit Pistons after the two sides failed to reach a new deal or a possible sign-and-trade with another team.
"Forward-center Greg Monroe has informed the Detroit Pistons' he will accept the qualifying offer, play for Detroit in 2014-15 and become an unrestricted free agent next summer," Zillgitt wrote, citing two sources close to Monroe's thinking. "The people requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about Monroe's decision."
Once Monroe signs the one-year qualifying offer, the 24-year-old forward, who averaged 15.2 points and 9.3 rebounds last season, will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, which means that he can sign with any team without giving the Pistons a chance to match all offers.
Free agent guard Eric Bledsoe could also take the same route as talks with Phoenix Suns are still not progressing at this point after the two sides failed to reach a common ground earlier in the offseason.
Bledsoe reportedly received a four-year offer worth $48 million, but the emerging guard turned down the contract because he was looking for a deal near the maximum level.
Suns owner Robert Sarver, whose team signed improving guard Isaiah Thomas, insisted that keeping Bledsoe is their top priority this offseason, and he is still hoping that they will reach a long-term agreement soon.
"We value Eric as a player," Sarver said of Bledsoe, who averaged 17.7 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds last season. "I hope at some point we'll be able to sit down and meet with those guys and make a deal."
However, Sarver revealed that they have been trying to contact the 24-year-old, but they have not heard any word from him over the past four months.
"We haven't heard from the guy in four months, so I couldn't tell you," Sarver said. "I do know that when he played here, he felt good about the organization, his coaching staff and his teammates at the end of the season. We had the same feelings toward him."
