Eric Bledsoe rumors: Los Angeles Lakers considering dealing Julius Randle & Jordan Hill?
The rumors surrounding Phoenix Suns’ point guard Eric Bledsoe have really ramped up as of late.
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Bledsoe, a restricted free agent, is arguably the top player remaining on the market, but the Suns and Bledsoe are very far apart in contract talks. The Suns reportedly offered Bledsoe a $48 million deal, but he is seeking a contract worth around $80 million. That has led many to speculate the Suns could deal Bledsoe in a sign-and-trade, especially after they acquired point guard Isaiah Thomas from the Sacramento Kings.
The Los Angeles Lakers, who have had a disappointing offseason, have recently come up in conversation with Bledsoe.
Jon Bloom of AZSports reports one source is pushing the Lakers to offer rookie power forward Julius Randle, big man Jordan Hill and a first round pick for Bledsoe.
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
Update on previous Suns/Lakers storyline: PHX maintaining desire to keep Bledsoe while LAL have not confirmed interest in a S&T. #StayTuned
— Jon Bloom (@JonBloom) July 20, 2014
Of course, the Lakers just signed Randle last week so he can’t be traded yet.
Bledsoe averaged 17.7 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 47.7% from the field, 35.7% from beyond the arc and 77.2% from the free throw line last season. Hill went for 9.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game while shooting 54.9% from the field and 68.5% from the free throw line. Randle, a former Kentucky Wildcat, was selected with the seventh-overall pick in the first round of last month’s draft. He was ranked as the draft’s fourth-best prospect according by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express. He measured in at 6’9″ and 250 pounds with a wingspan of 7’0″ at the NBA’s Scouting Combine. Last season, he put up 15.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 50.0% from the field and 70.6% from the charity stripe.