Pacific Notes: Suns, Bledsoe, Warriors

Earlier today, ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reported that the Lakers approached the Nets earlier this month to see if Brooklyn had any interest in a deal centered around Pau Gasol and Brook Lopez. The exploratory talks, which happened before Lopez’s injury, didn’t go anywhere, as the Nets balked at the idea.  With Lopez out for the year, that possibility is dead, but it does show that L.A. might be willing to take on contracts beyond 2015.  Tonight’s look at the Pacific..

  • Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld looks at five pending free agents due for raises this summer, including Suns restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe.  Before the season, they likely could have locked him to to an extension with an average annual value of $9-11MM, but the way the guard has played in his first full season as a starter, it looks like he’s headed for a max or near-max contract offer.
  • Suns GM Ryan McDonough watched Bledsoe for years, first in college as the kid who played alongside John Wall at Kentucky, then with the Clippers where he was Chris Paul‘s understudy, writes Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. “You just saw these flashes of what he could do,” McDonough said. “He doesn’t have a lot of holes in his game. There’s not a lot of things he can’t do, just with his strength, his athletic ability and his shooting.
  • The Warriors announced that they have recalled center Ognjen Kuzmic from the Santa Cruz Warriors of the D-League.  Kuzmic was assigned to Santa Cruz on December 28 and played 16 minutes in last night’s game against the Bakersfield Jam, registering two points, nine rebounds, and one blocked shot.  To keep up with all of this year’s D-League assignments and recalls, check out Hoops Rumors’ running list.
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