NBA Trade Rumors 2014: Los Angeles Lakers Interested in Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly not yet done making moves this offseason as reports indicated that they are interested in acquiring Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic.
Bledsoe and Dragic could become free agents next summer, and reports indicate that the Phoenix Suns might be forced to trade them instead of losing both players for nothing next season.
But among the two point guards, Bledsoe will likely be the odd man out as the Suns are expected to secure a long-term commitment with Dragic, who had a breakout year last season.
Bledsoe is still a restricted free agent at this point of the offseason after turning down a four-year, $48 million offer from the Suns. The 24-year-old point guard is reportedly demanding for a maximum five-year, $85 million deal, but the Suns are not willing to give into his demands.
After several negotiations went down, Bledsoe, who averaged 17.7 points to go along with 5.5. assists and 4.7 rebounds per game last season, is reportedly planning to take a qualifying offer for next season rather than become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Suns could be forced to part ways with Bledsoe before the upcoming season's trade deadline if the former Kentucky standout decides to sign a qualifying offer.
"If Bledsoe signs the qualifier, furthermore, you can pretty much bank on him leaving Phoenix as soon as he gets the chance, because players don't take that sort of gamble and then bury the bad feelings months later to re-sign with the incumbent team," Stein wrote.
And if the Suns decide to deal the four-year veteran, Hoops Habit reported that the Lakers will have the best chance of acquiring him because any trade will need Bledsoe's approval, giving Los Angeles the "leverage" in any deal with Phoenix.
And in the event Bledsoe gets traded, the Suns are expected to give Dragic the contract that he will ask for because they can't afford to lose both guards despite signing former Sacramento Kings starting guard Isaiah Thomas earlier in the offseason.
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