NBA free agency is officially in full swing. The biggest domino to fall in the first two days was also the leagues worst-kept secret, Chris Paul — No. 2 overall in Mighty Moke’s Free Agent Power Rankings — who re-signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Clippers aren’t done, though, and they made more noise today with a trade that has helped reshape their roster in a much needed way: shooting.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Clippers have finally traded reserve point guard Eric Bledsoe. This may have come a bit out of left field as the Clippers have sent the young guard to Phoenix in a three team trade that brings back an intriguing haul of Jared Dudley and J.J. Redick.
The Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks have pulled off a three-team trade, according to sources.
The Clippers have traded Caron Butler and Eric Bledsoe to the Suns, and J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley have been dealt to the Clippers. Redick is expected to sign a four-year, $27 million deal, according to sources.
The Bucks will receive two second-round picks in the trade — one from the Clippers and one from the Suns — according to sources.
A source said the Suns plan to play Bledsoe alongside 27-year-old point guard Goran Dragic. Bledsoe is eligible to sign a contract extension between now and Halloween.
This is about as fair as a trade can get in the NBA. The Clippers, in desperate need to spread the floor, add two established shooters, and one in Redick who should be able to light it up while receiving dimes from CP3. Phoenix, while already in possession of a nice point guard in Goran Dragic, adds some much needed flair with Bledsoe. And if nothing else, a nice asset. Milwaukee was not likely to retain Redick, who was not able to find his groove next to the ball-dominant Brandon Jennings (No. 11 on Moke’s rankings) and Monta Ellis (No. 8).
SheridanHoops’ Chris Bernucca explains it here: “Redick joins his third team in six months. His normally steady stroke vanished after being dealt from Orlando to Milwaukee but he still averaged a career-high 14.1 points per game. He is a career 39 percent shooter from the arc and his defense and dribble-drive game are underrated. Believe it or not, Dudley is even a better shooter with a career mark of 40.5 percent from deep. At 6-7, Dudley is big enough to play small forward and could see most of his minutes there if Matt Barnes isn’t re-signed. The new duo is a serious upgrade over Willie Green and Chauncey Billups but will bury rookie Reggie Bullock.”
Clippers landed shooters. JJ Reddick will have career year. Exactly what they needed.
— Colin Cowherd (@ESPN_Colin) July 2, 2013
Redick’s four year, $27 million deal with Clippers will include a trade kicker, source tells Y! Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 2, 2013