Apr 12, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) drives to the basket past Dallas Mavericks center Samuel Dalembert (1) and guard Vince Carter (25) during the first half at the American Airlines Center.
Apr 12, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) drives to the basket past Dallas Mavericks center Samuel Dalembert (1) and guard Vince Carter (25) during the first half at the American Airlines Center. REUTERS

The Minnesota Timberwolves just lost a superstar; naturally they want to replace him with a new one.

The perennial Western Conference playoff snub is interested in doing a sign-and-trade deal for disgruntled and soon to be free agent, Eric Bledsoe of the Phoenix Suns. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Suns are not interested in the assortment of players that the Timberwolves are offering. The names being floated for the deal are Bledsoe in exchange for Kevin Martin and other minimum deal players.

Given that Minnesota is $6 million dollars over the cap, they have little leverage in enticing Phoenix to part ways with the other half of the Slash Brothers. In fact, the team is now making the move to sign Bledsoe to a qualifying offer worth $3.73 million before the October 1st deadline comes around. The risk is that come next summer Bledsoe can walk free and leave the Suns without any return for the explosive guard. Despite this Phoenix is banking on its ability to offer the most money to Bledsoe if and when negotiations begin again next season.

Bledsoe's restricted free agency has brushed off suitors with the perception that his mother team will just match any salary offer due to his Restricted Free Agent (RFA) tag. In fact, Phoenix already offered an annual salary of close to $12 million annual for four years but Bledsoe and his agent Rich Paul did not bite. Now here comes the offer of Minnesota. The Timberwolves are prepared to give the polarizing guard the maximum allowable salary close to $20 million annually which becomes a real threat to the run and gun Suns.

It is believed that Phoenix will only listen to offers that will net them equal value for the developing guard. It would be hard for the Timberwolves to part ways with say Nikola Pekovic or Ricky Rubio given that they just sent Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Nevertheless, the young squad can still bank on next year, create ample salary and re-join the Bledsoe sweepstakes.

The only trump card here is if Phoenix finally heeds LeBron James' advice and break bread with Bledsoe but given the circumstances that feast will have to wait a little bit longer as the Oct. 1 deadline looms.