Eric Bledsoe Rumors: June 18

Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports

As the basketball world awaits the outcome of the potential Celtics-Clippers deal, we have learned that Chris Paul’s backup, Eric Bledsoe, likely won’t be part of the deal.

“I wrote about this couple weeks ago, but if LAC can strike deal with BOS, nxt shoe to drop may be Bledsoe/Butler to ORL for Afflalo,” ESPN’s Chad Ford tweeted.

Rather than including Bledsoe is a trade that would send center DeAndre Jordan to Boston, the Clippers will likely have to take back a contract the Celtics want to dump, likely one of Courtney Lee or Jason Terry.

The Clippers would probably like to use Terry off of the bench to provide instant scoring with Jamal Crawford if they do indeed pull off this trade.

That would still leave with a hole at shooting guard, a hole that could be filled by current Magic guard Arron Afflalo. The Magic and Clippers have discussed an Afflalo-Bledsoe swap that would also include the expiring contract of Caron Butler. This would pave the way for the Magic to draft either Ben McLemore or Victor Oladipo, pairing them with Bledsoe, presumably setting their backcourt for the next few years.

From the Clippers perspective, they have capable backups and could part with Bledsoe to fill a greater need. However, the Clippers will likely want another asset, likely a draft pick. The Magic, of course, acquired several picks in the Dwight Howard trade last summer.

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