My first post, here goes: Why the Clippers might be interested? The Clippers have Paul & Billups and also Crawford who could also spell the point for a few mins. But their frontcourt is short on decent backup PFs as Odom hasn't played well (1.9ppg at the time of this post). With Jordan getting better at the inside game, they need a PF that can make that mid-range shot to free up the middle. Why trade 2Pat? We're full of PFs and could trade 2Pat and play well at PF with Morris or Smith starting and still have our three rookies behind them. We're heavy at the PF spot which isn't a bad thing but we're just too thin in the backcourt. This team desperately needs a backup pg. TD has not been able to imitate the offense and hasn't been able to score well enough to make up for it (his par of 8 is the lowest on the team). 2Pat has played well enough to raise eyebrows out there but he's the most replaceable of the starters. Why do we want Bledsoe as the backup pg? He's quick and likes to play the running game. He's got decent court vision and knows how to get his own shot. His motor always seems to be on high and he attacks the basket consistently. He can play defense with his Lowry like size. He's only 22. But on the Clippers he'll have a hard time getting more than 20 mins with Paul ahead of him and won't be able to play many mins next to Paul. Beldsoe could come off the bench and play along side either Harden or Lin. With Lin being closer to 6'4 he's got the size to play SGs for short periods as we've seen in NY (playing with Davis).
I'd presume Bledsoe would be the Clippers plan B to Paul walking this summer.They did have the option of trading him and keeping Minnys 1st rounder last year, so they must like him. Anyway, Patterson stretching the floor is more valuable with Asik and Harden logging huge minutes.
He's got another year on his contract, so the Clips will likely hold onto him until Chris Paul signs an extension. I think it's pretty clear that if Paul stays Bledsoe will be moved sometime before next season's trade deadline. If Paul walks, they'll likely try to extend Bledsoe. I really like Bledsoe's game. He came out way too early and is only 22, but per 36 minutes he's a 19ppg player, with 5 rbs/5 dimes/2.7 steals/ and 1.3 blocks. He's a tough nosed player that needs minutes to prove how good he can be ...sorta like Lowry when we traded Memphis for him. He's got to learn to cut down on his turnovers though. He would be an excellent value/high-upside player if we could work out a Lowry-esque contract. PG figures to be a a real need position for us as we build around Harden. Bledsoe has huge upside.
Isaiah Thomas or Eric Bledsoe - should be our targets for back-up PG. I'd be ok with Patty Mills as well. Unfortunately for all 3, I think teams are going to hold on to them unless offered something significant. Not sure if PPatt is enticing enough.
No way Clippers giving up Eric Bledsoe. They didn't give him up when they traded for Paul, and already giving up Mo Williams wasn't the reason why they were able to keep him. They wanted to keep Bledsoe.
my bad, Mo wasn't in that trade. Gordon and Aminu were. Nevertheless the Hornets wanted a "replacement" PG but Bledsoe was off limits.
Aaron Brooks was brought into start. Splitting PG duties w/ Isaiah this year. Thomas is still getting about 18 MPG. Brooks around 22. Posting very similar numbers except Thomas has more TOs (younger/inexperienced).
Doubt they'd give him up and it's going to take a lot to get him. Plus he wouldn't want to sit behind Lin.
Bledsoe is their version upstart backup behind CP3 similar to Darren Collison years back. Bledsoe's a little more highly thought of than Collison, and Collison has been A STARTER on both the Pacers and Mavericks, not a backup. Collison first got traded in a 4 team trade for Trevor Ariza from the Rockets who then got Courtney Lee out of it. Trevor Ariza isnt good, but he was brought in to start for them. If Patterson continues his current level over time, he can certainly be part of a trade package, but I don't see a backup-for-backup move happening for Clips, they'll probably want a more proven player. If anything the Clippers need a younger starting 2-guard, not the grey beards they've been tossing out there.
I think Clips hold on to Bledsoe no matter whether Paul stays or not. He is very talented and young and you'll have to blow their doors off for them to trade him.
Bledsoe's a better player than Patterson, sure. But what's the point of trading our best player from our weakest position for someone you intend to have as a backup? If you acquire Bledsoe, it has to be all or nothing. Throw Lin entirely under the bus or don't bother. Giving up Patterson just to upgrade a bench slot doesn't work.
A Lin and Bledsoe back court could be Lowry Dragic part 2 where you end up having to choose 1 in the end.