Eric Bledsoe the odd man out in Phoenix? (Photo : Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers could become a destination for point guard Eric Bledsoe, should the Phoenix Suns decide to move him between now and February trade deadline, according to Neil Johnson of ESPN Insider.
The Cavs backcourt depth is a bit thinner compared to what they have last season, when Matthew Dellavedova provided steady production off the bench. And while Key Felder turned some heads with his play this preseason, the Cavs front office isn't sure if the second round pick can deliver the goods in the regular-season.
To address this problem, Johnson recommends the Cavs to pull off the trade for Bledsoe. He noted Bledsoe's ability to attack the defense and create scoring opportunity for teammates makes a perfect reliever to starting point guard Kyrie Irving.
Moreover, the ESPN Insider claimed Bledsoe's affiliation to LeBron James, being one of the clients of Klutch Sports' super-agent Rich Paul, makes negotiation easier.
"For instance, they could try to move Bledsoe -- who has a connection with LeBron -- to Cleveland, where he would boost the Cavs given their lack of depth and talent at guard. Maybe a third team can make this a reality."
The Skinny: As good as the trade proposal looks, the Cavs are in tight situation to make a trade right now. They have just signed J.R Smith to a contract that would pay him at least $14M per season, so don't they have much wiggle room to absorb any contract, especially Bledsoe's $14M per year salary.
And of course, there's no way the Cavs would want to dangle Kevin Love in a trade that would net Bledsoe alone. LeBron James and the Cavs still believe the former All-Star center is an integral piece of the team. It would require a significant return for the Cavs to part ways with their best floor-stretching big.
More Cavs News, Rumors and Notes:
-The Cavaliers announced on Thursday (Dave McNamen of ESPN) that they have waived shooting guard Markel Brown, power forward Corey Jefferson and power forward Jonathan Holmes, reducing the number of players on their roster from 20 to 17. They still have to decide which of the remaining roster hopefuls would make the 15-man team after the final week of preseason.
-Contrary to previous reports, J.R Smith will earn $41.28MM in the first three years of his new contract and can pocket $15.68MM salary in year four, if he stays on the roster after 2018-19 season, according to Bobby Mark of the Vertical.
