HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Clippers reportedly have received multiple calls on the third-year guard's availability. They aren't looking to trade Bledsoe, who is under contract through the 2013-14 season, but that hasn't stopped the inquiries. Bledsoe undoubtedly will hear his name come up in trade rumors leading up to the Feb. 21 trade deadline. "A lot of guys' names will come up, but that's a good thing. That means people want you," Del Negro said. "That's a positive thing." Orange County Register

Los Angeles Clippers, Trade, Eric Bledsoe 

The Clippers went 3-0 in their recent stretch without Chris Paul in the lineup at point guard. Naturally, the assumption was Paul's replacement, Eric Bledsoe, passed his test. But was it a test or an audition? The third-year guard reportedly is high on the list of a few teams seeking his services in a trade, but Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said he doesn't believe the talk will become a distraction. "A lot of guys' names will come up, but that's a good thing," Del Negro said Saturday. "That means people want you. That's a positive thing. "There'll be all these rumors out there and things being said, and most of them probably won't be very accurate. As guys' names are out there, we'll discuss things with them if there's anything to it or whatever. I don't see that being an issue for us. We've got pretty good balance on that and obviously, I'm always available." Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Clippers, Trade, Eric Bledsoe 

As the Feb. 21 trade deadline looms, the third-year point guard out of Kentucky is expected to attract serious attention from rival teams that are already convinced he could be their starting point guard. But being teammates with Paul and venerable veteran Chauncey Billups means there will be more time spent in the shadows than the spotlight – until now. This is the sort of consistent playing time Bledsoe has been lacking since Paul came to the Clippers via trade New Orleans in Dec. 2011, and he's made the most of it while leading the Clippers to road wins over Memphis (14 points, four rebounds, three assists) and Houston (19 points, seven rebounds, five assists). He was already the benefactor of an injury, as Billups has played in just three games this season and is out indefinitely with a foot injury. USA Today Sports

Los Angeles Clippers, Trade, Eric Bledsoe 

While Bledsoe is well aware that he could finish the season elsewhere, he insists he's just fine where he is - especially with Paul on the shelf. "Right now I'm just focused on getting better," he said. "The only thing I can go out there and do is compete every night." USA Today Sports

Los Angeles Clippers, Trade, Eric Bledsoe 

"I'm pretty excited that I'll be getting to play a lot…showing people what I can do and how hard I worked on my game over the summer," Bledsoe said in a phone interview with USA TODAY Sports. USA Today Sports

Los Angeles Clippers, Eric Bledsoe 

Bledsoe said he still is learning how to be a leader from Clippers teammates Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups, two of the game's best point guards. "I'm just preparing for that moment," Bledsoe said in his typically quiet voice. "I'm still learning behind Chris and Chauncey. Hopefully, we win a championship and if I do get that chance, I can lead a team." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Eric Bledsoe 

Backing up the widespread notion that Cavs officials were asking for a lot in return for Varejao in trade talks with various teams, recent Hall of Fame inductee Peter Vecsey reported this week that Cleveland told the Clippers it would take DeAndre Jordan and prized reserve guard Eric Bledsoe to get him. ESPN.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Trade, Eric Bledsoe, Anderson Varejao, DeAndre Jordan 

I broke down the Rudy Gay situation on Wednesday, but there's another potential team to add to the mix: the aforementioned Clippers. While it remains unclear how determined the Memphis Grizzlies and their new management group are to move their star small forward before the Feb. 21 deadline, a package involving Clippers backup point guard Eric Bledsoe and veteran small forward Caron Butler, picks and other players to make the money work could be just what the Grizzlies are looking for. It's clear they are on the lookout for an upgrade over reserve point guard Jerryd Bayless, and Butler would fill Gay's small forward spot – albeit not nearly as well. The Clippers, I'm told, would consider Gay but are also justifiably wary of doing anything to affect the chemistry that has played such a big part in their season. USA Today Sports

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, Rudy Gay, Eric Bledsoe, Jerryd Bayless, Caron Butler 

Peter Vecsey: FYI: Solid source says Clips discussed trading Jordan 4 Varajeo B4 it was known he needs knee surgery. Cavs demanded Bledsoe as well. Twitter @PeterVecsey1

Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Trade, Eric Bledsoe, Anderson Varejao, DeAndre Jordan 

External interest in Eric Bledsoe is predictably high no matter what the Clippers do to dissuade it, thanks to Bledsoe's consistently noticeable impact in limited minutes off the bench as a defensive disruptor and tempo-changer alongside NBA Sixth Man Award top contender Jamal Crawford. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Trade, Eric Bledsoe 

Yet sources briefed on L.A.'s thinking insist that the Clippers don't want to even begin to contemplate the idea of trading Bledsoe until they know that Chris Paul is signed and sealed for the long term. So don't expect Bledsoe to be in play before the Feb. 21 trade deadline. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Trade, Eric Bledsoe 

Madelyn Burke: Bledsoe will start tonight for the #Clippers - VDN: "He's so athletic, he's so fast, now it's a matter of him being a student of the game" Twitter @MadelynBurke

Los Angeles Clippers, Vinny Del Negro, Eric Bledsoe 

In addition, Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson, Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe and San Antonio Spurs guard Cory Joseph also filed paperwork to leave CAA, according to league sources. All three are believed to be headed to join the new agency of Rich Paul, who James partnered with during the offseason. Paul represented all three players while working for CAA before leaving to start his own company. ESPN.com

Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Eric Bledsoe, Agents, Tristan Thompson, Cory Joseph, Rich Paul 

The Los Angeles Clippers today exercised the club’s fourth-year contract option on guard Eric Bledsoe. NBA.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Eric Bledsoe 

Marc J. Spears: .@RichPaul4 repped Kidd-Gilchrist, E Bledsoe, Tristan Thompson & Cory Joseph with CAA.RP has good relationship with all & might land clients Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, LeBron James, Eric Bledsoe, Agents, Tristan Thompson, Cory Joseph, Rich Paul, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 

Eric Patten: Robert Pack said he felt like Eric Bledsoe did "the right things" in 3 games with LAC #SummerLeague team. Bledsoe will not play SAT or SUN. Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Eric Bledsoe, Summer League, Robert Pack 

Third-year point guard Eric Bledsoe has drawn widespread interest from around the league, but according to sources with knowledge of the Clippers thinking, someone would have to knock the Clippers socks off to get them to part with Bledsoe. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Trade, Eric Bledsoe 

Marc Stein: Clips pumped up Eric Bledsoe's trade value even higher than it was. "Everybody wants an athletic PG like that," said one admiring GM. Don't know that Clips will even want to trade him as good as Bledsoe looked solo or next to CP3. But they know no shortage of offers coming. Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Trade, Eric Bledsoe 

J. Michael Falgoust: #CP3 demanded #Clippers keep Eric Bledsoe before he came via trade. "He was the third GM" is what team VP Neil Olshey told USAT Sports #nba Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Trade, Chris Paul, Eric Bledsoe, Neil Olshey 

Nick Young on Eric Bledsoe: “He’s that pit bull out there. Hardnosed, driving, strong little man, and he gets the job done out there. You just need that type of player on the court with you.” Sulia

Los Angeles Clippers, Eric Bledsoe, Nick Young