NBA Trade Rumors: Eric Bledsoe To Lakers? Julius Randle, Jordan Hill Offered By Tinseltown Team For Sign And Trade With Suns Star Guard!
The NBA Trade Rumors have a subject not named Kevin Love or Andrew Wiggins. Eric Bledsoe of the Phoenix Suns is still unsigned and he is a restricted free agent, Phoenix is making him available--for a price.
The report came from Lakers Nation. They cite:
According to Jon Bloom of Arizona Sports 98.7, Eric Bledsoe could be headed to the Lakers in a blockbuster trade:
My source in L.A. is pushing Lakers to offer Julius Randle, Jordan Hill & 1st Rd Pick from Lin deal in sign & trade for Bledsoe. #Hmmmm
— Jon Bloom (@JonBloom) July 18, 2014
With the Lakers not confident in Nash’s ability to stay healthy for an entire season, the team wants security at the point guard position. Bledsoe would provide that, but he’d come at a hefty price.
As Bloom suggests, the Lakers would be giving up Julius Randle in the deal along with Jordan Hill. If that is what happens, the team will have a surplus of guards and will lose two of their best frontcourt players.
Recently, it was reported that the Phoenix Suns were far apart on a new deal with Bledsoe. The 24-year-old was looking for a five-year deal worth $80 million. It doesn’t appear that the Suns are willing to pay that amount, especially with two capable point guards already on the roster in Goran Dragic and the recently signed Isaiah Thomas.
The Lakers have been rumored to be interested in Bledsoe for quite some time, but with three floor generals already on the team, it does seem unlikely that they’d attempt to make this deal.”
Eric Bledsoe has the same agent as LeBron James, and they both want the star guard to play underneath the spotlight. The Lakers have the brightest lights in the league but they are not a playoff team unlike the Suns, who were precariously close.
While it may sound like a reasonable transaction, paying such a high price may not be a smart move. Randle is the Lakers prized rookie and Hill is their most consistent big man last year. If the Suns are willing to lower the price tag, perhaps the Lakers will bite.