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 Los Angeles Clippers have held onto prized young point guardEric Bledsoelike a child clings to his favorite toy–stubborn and unwilling to share. But that changed for a sudden, out of the blue 3 team trade on the second day of NBA free agency between the Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns. Sources told Yahoo Sports Tuesday
Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler will go to the Suns, Jared Dudley and JJ Redick to the Clippers and 2 2nd-round picks to Bucks, sources tell Y
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn)July 2, 2013
This trade comes as a complete surprise considering the Clippers unwillingness to part with Bledsoe in talks for future Hall of FamersKevin GarnettandPaul Pierce.
Deal was conceived, completed within 24 hours, source tells Y! Bledsoe didn't become available until Chris Paul agreed to extension Monday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn)July 2, 2013
The Clippers wouldn’t budge on two Hall of Famers. Without the security of Chris Paul locked up, they couldn’t afford to make that move. Chris Paul is now locked up. But now the Hall of Famers aren’t available because the Clippers couldn’t trade with the Celtics, and they’re in Brooklyn.
So now the Clippers acquired a player inJJ Redickwho was nearly out of the league after he was virtually unused byStan Van Gundy. JJ Redick is not Eric Bledsoe. Redick is a much improved player, but he has reached his ceiling. Bledsoe has not seen the ceiling yet. Redick has stopped at his ceiling, but he’s not leaving the Clippers anytime soon.
Redick's four year, $27 million deal with Clippers will include a trade kicker, source tells Y! Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn)July 2, 2013
Adrian Wojnarowski’s Full StoryHere
JJ Redick is here to stay in Los Angeles. And the Clippers were going to lose Eric Bledsoe to unrestricted free agency after this upcoming season. The Clippers sent a message in the last 2 days that they are here to stay at the top of the Western Conference. It is not a 1 year window they are looking at, but a 3-5 year window.
Eric Bledsoe is one of the most athletic players in the league. His nickname is Mini-Lebron. In return they got JJ Redick. With aBlake GriffinandDeAndre Jordanfront court they still are extremely athletic, but much less so in the back court.
The Clippers also got rid ofCaron Butlerto Phoenix, a crucial but aging part of the two most successful Clippers seasons. He had primarily become a jump shooter due to injury issues, and Redick is a better jump shooter but undersized defender. The Clippers also gotJared Dudley, who has been a nuisance to every team he has played against as a member of the Suns. Dudley is also a good shooter from outside, and is known for his defense more than his shooting.
The Clippers traded a valuable commodity on Tuesday. But they were foing to lose Eric Bledsoe anyway. Redick is a much more suitable player to a half court style of game whichDoc Riversis more likely to implement in Los Angeles.
Did the Clippers Make the Right Move LA Sports Hubsters?
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