<
        >
          EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
          Get ESPN+

          New deal a win for Eric Bledsoe

          With a bigger role in 2013-14, Suns guard Eric Bledsoe set career highs across the board. Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
          • Kevin Pelton, ESPN Senior WriterSep 24, 2014, 07:05 PM ET
            Close
            • Co-author, Pro Basketball Prospectus series
            • Formerly a consultant with the Indiana Pacers
            • Developed WARP rating and SCHOENE system
            Follow on X

          Consider 2014 the summer of Rich Paul. The NBA offseason began in earnest when Paul helped coordinate the return of his friend LeBron James to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, days before training camps open around the league, Paul has negotiated a five-year, $70 million contract with the Phoenix Suns for his client Eric Bledsoe that is a surprising win.