Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has yet to suit up this season and is still recovering from a torn ACL. To add to their misfortune, Paul George reportedly could be done for the year. With their two stars sidelined indefinitely, the upcoming February 2022 trade deadline could be a critical time for the Clippers. A fire sale of assets may very well occur in LA. One Clipper that could find himself in numerous trade rumors is point guard Eric Bledsoe.
Bledsoe's second stint with the Clippers has not gone the way they expected. The 32-year-old's production has waned down. It certainly does not help that his inconsistency as a shooter makes him an outdated guard in today's NBA.
Nonetheless, there are teams out there that could still use added guard depth and the former Kentucky Wildcat could be a possible target for them. With that, here are the three best trade destinations for Eric Bledsoe.
3 trade destinations for Eric Bledsoe
The Cleveland Cavaliers are still reeling from Ricky Rubio's season-ending torn ACL. The injury has dampened their spirited campaign quite a bit as they looked to make a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Cleveland acquired veteran point guard Rajon Rondo from the Los Angeles Lakers recently. But the Cavaliers could still be in the market for more guard depth to help Darius Garland in the backcourt. Enter Eric Bledsoe.
Bledsoe is by no means a Rubio replacement. But he is still a capable veteran that could provide some of the playmaking and defense the Spaniard brought to the table.
Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report suggested the possibility of LA trading for Toronto Raptors guard Goran Dragic. The Clippers would then be sending back Bledsoe and perhaps one or two of their seven second-round picks in a possible deal for the Slovenian guard.
Dragic is technically a Raptor, but he's nowhere near Canada or part of Toronto's plans moving forward. With that, the Raptors could send him to the Clippers, get some picks, and add guard depth with Bledsoe in the process.
Behind Fred VanVleet, Toronto doesn't really have any reliable backup point guard. The 12-year vet is an upgrade over someone like Malachi Flynn, who isn't really getting consistent minutes this season. Bledsoe, who has proven to be a solid defender throughout his career, could acclimate himself well to Raptors coach Nick Nurse.
If it doesn't work out
The Portland Trail Blazers are in a freefall right now. With Damian Lillard undergoing surgery that will sideline him for six to eight weeks, Portland will likely miss the playoffs for the first time in eight years.
The Blazers seem to be headed more toward the lottery than winning a championship with their current roster construction. For a team trending in the wrong direction, it doesn't make sense for Portland to be paying luxury tax bills.
That's why more than anything, trading for Bledsoe would be a financial move for the Blazers. Lillard's looming extension is another decision they need to make, but that's a story for another day.
As Fischer noted in his article, Bledsoe is only guaranteed to make $3.9 million next season. The organization could save some money next season by not guaranteeing the 6-foot-1 guard his $19.3 million salary in 2022-23.
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