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Meet the newest Portland Trail Blazers: Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, and Keon Johnson

By Joe Capraro

Dec 20, 2021; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Agua Caliente Clippers guard Keon Johnson (45) dribbles against Mexico City Capitanes forward Rigoberto Mendoza (2) during the first quarter at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2021; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Agua Caliente Clippers guard Keon Johnson (45) dribbles against Mexico City Capitanes forward Rigoberto Mendoza (2) during the first quarter at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Portland Trail Blazers, Eric Bledsoe, Blazers trade, Clippers trade
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JANUARY 26: Eric Bledsoe #12 of the LA Clippers handles the ball during the third quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on January 26, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

Eric Bledsoe is mostly attractive for his buyout potential

Bledsoe seemed like a steal when he signed a four-year $70 million extension with the Milwaukee Bucks in March of 2019. But his output has cratered since, making graphs of all his statistics from 2017-18 through 2021-22 look like those of sales of Milli Vanilli records when the truth came out.

  • Scoring: 17.8 PPG, 15.9, 14.9, 12.2. 9.9 (down 44%)
  • Minutes: 31.5 MPG, 29.1, 27.0, 29.7, 25.2 (down 20%)
  • Rebounds: 3.9 RPG, 4.6, 4.6, 3.4, 3.4 (down 13%)
  • Assists: 5.1 APG, 5.5, 5.4, 3.8, 4.2  (down (18%)
  • Field Goals: 47.6%, 48.4, 47.4, 42.1, 42.1
  • 3-point shooting: 34.9%, 32.9, 34.4, 34.1, 31.3

Bledsoe’s tooth brushing and shoe tying times have probably also seen similar declines, as would be expected in a 32-year old who plays with his level of intensity. And despite his defensive prowess – Bledsoe was named to the All-Defensive team twice in the last three seasons – it doesn’t appear he fits into the Blazers plans, long or short term.

The extension he signed two years ago only guarantees him $3.9 next season, and given his diminished production it’s hard to imagine Portland or any other team picking up his full $19.375 million tab. They’ll be able to spread his guarantee over three years, minimizing the salary cap harm moving forward, and the money saved not having to pay Bledsoe or Powell will almost certainly find its way into Simons’ bank account.

There’s an outside shot that Bledsoe will have a chance to prove his worth to the Blazers on the court, and given Chauncey Billups’ infatuation with playing too many guards too many minutes, it would be less than a shock to see him out there gumming up the works for 12-20 minutes a game, but let’s hope he is simply buyout fodder.