Detroit Pistons Trade For Eric Bledsoe A Possibility
By Tony Fischer
Apr 27, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe (12) brings the ball up court during game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum. Memphis won 104-83. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Pistons still have a need at point guard. A Detroit Pistons trade for point guard Eric Bledsoe might be the answer. Many sources are reporting that the Los Angeles Clippers are looking to deal Bledsoe in order to keep free agent Chris Paul. Prior to the draft I suggested the Pistons trade their first round pick to secure Bledsoe’s services. Considering that the Clippers traded away their first round pick in 2015 to the Boston Celtics for coach Doc Rivers, they may be willing to listen to offers that include the Pistons first round pick in the 2014 NBA draft. A draft that is projected to be as deep and the 2013 draft was thin.
Here are a few reason this trade could work.
- The Pistons have cap space and the Clippers will need it to sign Chris Paul. Bledsoe’s cap hit is around 2.6 million. The Pistons could take on the expiring contract of Caron Butler to the tune of 8 million to sweeten the pot for the Clips.
- The offer of a first round pick in next years draft is no small prize. It is likely to be a mid round pick and next years draft is supposed to be stacked. That would give the Clippers two first rounders next year and the ability to rebuild on the fly.
- For the Pistons, Eric Bledsoe would fill a big need. Bledsoe is a distributor and can score from the point position. However Bledsoe’s pass first mentality will instantly benefit the rest of the Pistons offense.
- If you were keeping score this deal would swallow up about 8.6 million in the Pistons cap space. To pay for it, Joe Dumars can release Rodney Stuckey to save 4.5 million in cap pace. However in order to take advantage of the savings Stuckey must be released prior to July 1st. That would swallow up have the cost while removing a negative influence in the locker room.
This might have been what Joe Dumars had in mind all along. Making a trade to fill the need at point guard. If that’s the case it would certainly put the 2013 draft picks in a better light.