This past offseason has been a frenzy for players changing teams, demanding trades, and pure madness, and it has carried over into the regular season now.
Last week Suns guard Eric Bledsoe tweeted an obscure message, which ultimately led to Suns GM Ryan McDonough taking it as a trade request and shutting down the 27-year old.
Once these events took place teams all around the league started picking up their phones to gauge the market for Bledsoe; among those teams was the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Suns’ GM went on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM and according to McDonough, the market has been strong for the point guard.
“I think we heard from all 29 teams at this point.”
Phoenix may end up having to wait to make a deal though as their asking price has been shockingly high thus far, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
“If they’re going to keep their asking price very high – which is usually, in some of these talks, a young player and a draft pick or a young player and an established player – they may have to wait a while for the market to play out.”
If you take a look at their asking price and look towards the Lakers roster the only relatively feasible deals include Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle, unless Phoenix would like a shiny, spry Luol Deng.
However, making a deal for Bledsoe would put a dent into the Lakers ultimate goal of having two max contract spots next summer. Bledsoe is currently under contract for this season and next season at $14.5 million and $15 million, respectively.
If the team traded Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle for Bledsoe, then stretched Luol Deng, that would still leave them short of their goal of two max spots for LeBron James and one other superstar. The team has some work to do to afford two max contract spots as it is and adding additional salary would just make things more difficult.
Bledsoe has averaged 13.1 points (44% FG, 33% 3P), 4.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals through his career.
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