Eric Bledsoe rumors: Lakers willing to give near max contract?
By Bryan Rose
Nobody knows if the Los Angeles Lakers will be able to trade for Eric Bledsoe of the Phoenix Suns but if they do, they’re reportedly willing to open their check book to acquire the guard. Currently a restricted free agent, rumors broke on Saturday suggesting the Lakers were interested in a sign-and-trade scenario involving Bledsoe.
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The deal seems rather favorable for the Lakers who are allegedly willing to pay the former Kentucky Wildcat star a near max contract, assuming they’re able to complete such a trade.
Of course this isn’t just a typical trade which is why so many are questioning the rumored deal.
Rumored to be heading the Phoenix Suns way would be a combination of players (in addition to a first round draft pick) including Jordan Hill and Julius Randle. Hill is expected to re-sign with the Lakers though has not officially signed a contract. Once he does, the Lakers will not be able to trade him until at least January and he’ll have a no-trade clause when he inks his name. That said, being he hasn’t signed yet still allows him to be signed-and-traded.
As for Julius Randle, the Lakers first round draft pick can’t be traded for about a month though that understandably wouldn’t hang up any deal.
On the flip side, Eric Bledsoe would also need to agree to the trade given his restricted status but given the fact that Los Angeles is reportedly open to giving him oodles of money, I doubt that would be an issue.
Hearing that Lakers are willing to go close to max for Eric Bledsoe. Kobe loves his game. Suns like Jordan Hill and his tradability next yr.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 20, 2014
There are a lot of moving pieces in the alleged deal for Eric Bledsoe and more often than not, though types of trades fall apart as quickly as they’re conceived. We’ll see if this follows the same path.