The remodeling of the Los Angeles Lakers may soon include point guard Eric Bledsoe. According to reports, the Lakers may be in the lead for a sign-and-trade with the Phoenix Suns for the young guard, but he won't come cheap.
Hearing that Lakers have moved to front of the Eric Bledsoe sign-and-trade line. Suns want Julius Randle + HOU first-rounder.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 20, 2014
Jordan Schultz of The Huffington Post tweeted about a scenario in which the Lakers would ship their 2014 first-round pick Julius Randle, who was taken No. 7 overall, and a first round pick from Houston in exchange for Bledsoe. Schultz also said the Lakers were the side initiating that exchange.
Hearing that the Lakers - not the Suns - came with this. Just remember, Julius Randle can't be traded until mid-aug since he has signed. — Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 20, 2014
The Lakers lost Pau Gasol this offseason, but did retain Jordan Hill and Robert Sacre as well as sign Carlos Boozer and Ed Davis, creating quite a logjam in the frontcourt. They also have Steve Nash's injury woes to fret about, and Jeremy Lin on an expiring contract. Bledsoe is an instant upgrade athletically for the Lakers, and provides them with perimeter defense Kobe Bryant isn't capable of like he was in his prime.
Last season with a big minutes increase Bledsoe jumped to 17.7 points per gameto go with 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds a night. A long-term deal with Phoenix is still an option for the Suns, but they have a logjam of their own at point guard.
Goran Dragic had a career year last season playing alongside Bledsoe, they added Isaiah Thomas this offseason and drafted Syracuse rookie Tyler Ennis.
Randle entered the college season in 2013 as a potential No. 1 pick, and despite averaging 15.4 points and 10.4 rebounds per game against constant double and triple teams, tumbled in draft stock partially because of concerns about an injured foot.
A common NBA comparison to Randle was Zach Randolph of the Memphis Grizzlies, and he could end up as a better inside-out complement to Bryant's game than Bledsoe. He also wouldn't be getting close to max contract money for several years.
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