The Orlando Magic are looking to make a trade involving up-and-comer Eric Bledsoe of the Clippers in exchange for Arron Afflalo leading up to Thursday's NBA, sources told ESPN. However, the source confirmed that the trade may actually come after the draft, but could be done as early as this week.
The proposed deal may also include forward Magic Andrew Nicholson and a future first-round pick as compensation for Bledsoe. However, with Doc Rivers finally entering the franchise as the new coach and senior vice president of basketball operations, a move involving Bledsoe may be pushed into July or longer.
Rivers has long been an admirer of the former Kentucky guard and has indicated that he plans to keep Bledsoe if at all possible. Los Angeles, however, lost next year's first round draft pick as compensation for Rivers' contract. The trade with Orlando would put Los Angeles back into the first round and potentially give them a lottery pick as opposed to a late-first round selection if projections for both teams are correct.
Re-signing All-Star point guard Chris Paul is the most important factor of the Clippers' offseason. If they are capable of doing so, they will not be able to afford Bledsoe as his backup. Many within the league assume they will look to trade Bledsoe once they know that Paul would re-sign.
The Clippers remain optimistic that Paul will be more likely to stay after the acquisition of Rivers. The team will look to reach a five-year max contract with Paul on July 12, the earliest date for free agents to sign.
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