Jeff Zillgitt

USA TODAY Sports

Restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe recently said the Phoenix Suns are using the system against him.

Greg Monroe, also a restricted free agent, has made clear that he wants to use the system to his advantage.

Bledsoe, a point guard for the Suns, wants a five-year, full-max deal worth $84 million, a contract significantly higher than the four-year, $48 million deal the Suns have presented. The Suns counter that their offer is fair.

The Suns are using the system — the rules of the collective bargaining agreement — to their advantage. The two sides still don't have a deal with training camp less than two months away, and the rift only has grown.

The relationship between the two sides has soured, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations.

The person also said Bledsoe, 24, strongly is considering signing the Suns' qualifying offer for $3.726 million — good for the 2014-15 season — to become an unrestricted free agent after next summer.

That's precisely what Detroit Pistons forward-center Monroe plans to do. Monroe has informed the Pistons he plans to sign the qualifying offer ($5.479 million)for one season, spend 2014-15 in Detroit and become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Once Monroe signs the qualifying offer, he cannot be traded without his consent.

Monroe, 24, decided to take control of his free agency rather than let free agency control him. In a sense, Monroe is purchasing free agency for the price of the qualifying offer. He didn't want to sign an offer sheet and give the Pistons a chance to match and he has declined to sign any offer from the Pistons.

Now, don't rule out a sign a trade between now and the start of the season, but that seems unlikely as the Pistons have exhausted trade scenarios. He plans to sign the qualifying offer before the Oct. 1 deadline.

Monroe didn't make the decision lightly. He has been discussing options with his agent David Falk for the past two offseasons, and Falk has been impressed with Monroe's analytic, intelligent and unemotional approach to free agency.

It is a rare move for a restricted free agent to forsake financial security and a long-term deal now for the hope of something similar one year later. Signing the qualifying offer to become an unrestricted free agent doesn't happen often, but it does happen and there are risks involved — injury or a down season — that could impact the value of the next contract.

It requires foresight, confidence and boldness to sign the qualifying offer, and while it gives a player a chance to explore unrestricted free agency earlier than usual, most players don't want to take that risk.

Monroe is willing, believing the money will be there for him. Monroe will be one of the best big men available next summer and is expected to receive several offers. He received two max offers this offseason, but a sign-and-trade deal could not be reached, a person familiar with situation said.

Monroe is a versatile big man who can play in the high post or low post and is an able passer. He averaged 15.2 points and 9.3 rebounds for Detroit last season and has averaged 14 points, nine rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 steals in his four seasons in Detroit. He has had 72 double-doubles in the past two seasons.

It's not unprecedented for a Falk client to turn down or resist offers one year for the chance at something better the next. Alonzo Mourning, Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert turned down offers with the idea of having more or better options at another time.

For as long as he has been a successful agent, Falk has had a keen sixth sense of where the market is headed. He has watched the salary cap year by year, noting its growth, or sometimes lack thereof. The cap remained around $58 million from 2008-09 through 2013-14.

But it jumped to $63.065 million for 2014-15 and it's expected to rise, especially when a new TV deal kicks in after the 2015-16 season. Falk often operates under the idea that if the money will be the same next season why not wait and have unimpeded choice.

Monroe is in control of his destination next summer. While money always plays some role, Monroe will consider other factors, too: Does he want to play in a certain city? With a specific player or coach? For a franchise he admires? For a team ready to win now?

In a best-case scenario for Bledsoe, the Suns would have offered the deal he wanted, and this situation wouldn't be unresolved in August. Or another team would have enticed him with an offer sheet and he would have signed a deal similar to what Charlotte offered and what Utah matched for Gordon Hayward. That didn't happen either.

Now, Bledsoe is in position to take control of his situation. The Pistons will lose a lottery pick for nothing if a sign-and-trade can't be completed, and the Suns are also on the verge of losing Bledsoe after next season for nothing.

Restricted free agency comes with risks for both the player and the team.