The Los Angeles Clippers are in a tough spot after ditching coach Vinny Del Negro and the biggest issue for the team and the focus for the summer is bringing back point guard Chris Paul on a max deal, as he is set to be a free agent.
According to ESPN.com, the Clippers would be looking to make a big move in anticipation of that deal, as reports from Chad Ford say that the team could trade backup point guard Eric Bledsoe to the Orlando Magic. The buzz behind Bledsoe is a large one since he is young and talented and chances are they will not trade him until they know they can ink Paul to a deal. The report says that sources think Bledsoe could go for Aaron Afflalo for Bledsoe and Caron Butler's expiring contract, which would give the team some flexibility.
The Magic would like to make the deal so that they could use their number two pick on someone not in the back court and they could move away from Trey Burke for someone like Victor Oladipo or others. Afflalo is just 28 and he would still be a solid backup behind Paul and he can play defense and averaged over 15 points per game last season. The Magic have the number two pick and they also like Ben McLemore of Kansas and the trade could help with that as well.
Afflalo had his moments in Orlando, but he likely would be better off in a situation with the Clippers where he could come in as a support player and backup Paul. The team has a lot of issues to work out with their coach and getting more players around Paul and Blake Griffin is a priority this summer.
The team had one of its best seasons in recent memory when they won the division and over 50 games, but that wasn't enough to keep around De Negro and the team is hoping that they still can hold onto Paul when free agency hits. All signs point to him staying, but there have been rumors of sign and trade deals as well as other options for Paul, although he has said that he likes LA and wants to stay in the city. Matt Barnes said that Paul wants to stay and after recruiting him to the team, he did it once again, as Barnes is set to be a free agent as well.
