The Los Angeles Clippers agreed to trade Eric Bledsoe as part of a three-team deal with the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks. In exchange, the Clips receive the help on the wings it wanted to give Chris Paul, CBS Sports reports.
Bledsoe and Caron Butler were shipped out of Los Angeles on Tuesday night. They're headed for Phoenix, in exchange for Suns forward Jared Dudley and Bucks shooting guard J.J. Redick. Milwaukee will receive two second-round picks.
Ken Berger of CBS Sports first broke news of the trade.
Redick's contract is worth $27 million over four years. The Clips hope the additions of Redick and Dudley create more spacing on the floor, an area the team struggled in last season. Redick's 39 percent and Dudley's 40.5 percent shooting from three-point range will help stretch the defense, giving Paul viable options on a drive-and-kick.
Redick was one of the most sought after shooters in free agency, and Dudley provides versatility with his three-point proficiency and solid defense. The eventual parting with Bledsoe became inevitable once signs suggested Paul would sign long-term with the Clippers. The team got younger on the wing by trading Butler, and it cleared $8 million from the books.
Phoenix received a promising guard in Bledsoe, whose value skyrocketed in free agency. Bledsoe, 23, gives the Suns a talented piece to begin rebuilding with. While he's still maturing as a point guard, Bledsoe has great athleticism and can stifle opponents with his defense.
The Bucks get two second-round draft picks for its sign-and-trade of Redick. While Milwaukee also lost Monta Ellis and Mike Dunleavy this offseason, the two additional picks in next year's draft could yield at least one promising prospect.
The deal isn't complete until July 10, when contracts are eligible to be signed.
