re: Hornets showing interest in Bledsoe

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Hornets showing interest in Bledsoe

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Let me give some perspective from a Clippers fan. IMO three things work against a Hornets-Clippers trade for Bledsoe.

1. The Clippers won't trade Bledsoe unless they sign Chris Paul to a new contract since Paul is a FA after this season. If Paul signs elsewhere, Bledsoe is the Clippers starting PG next year. So it makes no long-term sense to trade Bledsoe until Paul's situation is resolved.

2. It makes no short-term sense to trade him either since the Clippers chemistry is so good right now and Bledsoe is a big part of that chemistry. A case could be made that the Clippers are playing better right now than their talent warrants, and that boils down to chemsitry. From all the local media reports, this is a team that genuinely likes one another and enjoys playing with one another. The Clippers won't mess with that chemistry in a season where they have thier best chance ever at winning a championship.

3. What do the Hornets have to trade for Bledsoe that wouldn't weaken the Hornets? Your two best players, Davis and Gordon, have to be considered untouchables. What is there to offer after that? The Clippers don't need several marignal players in return (eg, Aminu). They already have a good bench. I see them trading Bledsoe, if they do, in a one-for-one trade for backcourt depth, especially at center. our back-up center right now is Rony Turiaf. And while he's a high energy, good effort kind of player, he's not the answer as a back-up to Jordan.

My 2 cents.