Phoenix Suns restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe is expected to sign his qualifying offer, but a trade involving the disgruntled point guard reportedly isn't yet out of the question. The Lakers, meanwhile, reportedly are keeping an eye on journeyman Alonzo Gee, who's expected to become a free agent sometime next week.
Bledsoe and Phoenix remain at a standstill over his contract. He has yet to sign his qualifying offer with Phoenix, which for now keeps open the possibility - albeit unlikely - of a trade.
"Trades involving Bledsoe are not out of the question, it would ultimately come down to what Phoenix gets in return," Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders wrote Thursday. "The other part is there are not many teams out there that view Bledsoe as favorably as Phoenix does, especially not enough to offer more than four-years and $48 million."
A Bledsoe trade this season is unlikely for two reasons: 1) teams don't consider Bledsoe worth the maximum deal he purportedly wants, and 2) teams won't want to give up assets to Phoenix when all signs point to Bledsoe becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Los Angeles has long been reported as a team interested in Bledsoe, although Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak will likely wait to pursue Bledsoe in free agency. Even then, Kupchak probably wouldn't offer Bledsoe a maximum deal.
Unless a team believes acquiring Bledsoe now would put them in title contention, the 24-year-old will likely sign his qualifying offer before Oct. 1, play out the season and become a free agent in July.
A more likely target for the Lakers this season, though, is Gee. He's had a busy offseason, being traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the New Orleans Pelicans to the Houston Rockets and, barring an unforeseen setback, will land with the Sacramento Kings on Sept. 15.
Kyler reported Sacramento is expected to waive Gee. Assuming no team picks up his $3 million contract and he clears waivers, Gee would then become a free agent. Los Angeles needs depth at the 3-spot, and given Gee's history with coach Byron Scott, are likely to pursue the 27-year-old.
"A team to keep an eye on is the LA Lakers," Kyler wrote. "Gee had his best seasons in the NBA under head coach Byron Scott and the Lakers have a real need at the small forward spot."
Los Angeles is also considering free agent Michael Beasley, whom the team worked out twice so far.
