Clippers not interested in swapping Bledsoe

Clippers not interested in swapping Bledsoe

Published Mar. 15, 2012 12:22 p.m. ET

Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe has been the asking price for most of the trades the Clippers have been proposed, and the team's been unwilling to ship him.

Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks, Bledsoe scored a season-high 14 points and had four steals in just over 16 minutes in the Clippers' 96-82 win.

"Effort and energy were the main things tonight," forward Reggie Evans said. "It starts with (Bledsoe). He sets the tone."

Bledsoe got out on the fast break, drained a pair of corner 3-point shots and altered a pair of fastbreak layups by the Hawks in his productive run.

"His athleticism is so easy to see out there," head coach Vinny Del Negro said. "He's so fast and he's all over the place."

General manager Neil Olshea said the Clippers aren't looking to move Bledsoe right now.

The Clippers stay at home on Thursday to play the Suns.

NOTES, QUOTES
QUOTE TO NOTE:
"If there's a deal that puts us over the top, we're going to do it. But we have a better chance improving internally." -- Clippers general manager Neil Olshey on his mindset going into Thursday's trade deadline.

ROSTER REPORT
PLAYER NOTES:

   --F Blake Griffin finished 12 points and 10 rebounds. Griffin only played 33 minutes in the Clippers' win.

   --C DeAndre Jordan followed up an active performance against Boston with another nice game. Jordan was 4-for-4 from the field and grabbed six rebounds to go with eight points and two blocks.

   --G Mo Williams followed a 21-point game with 25 points against the Hawks Wednesday. Williams was 3-for-5 from 3-point range on the night.

   --G Eric Bledsoe scored a season-high 14 points in 16 minutes. Bledsoe also had four steals and two blocked shots in the win.

MEDICAL WATCH:
   --G Chauncey Billups (left Achilles tendon) underwent surgery to repair his Achilles tendon. Billups is out for the remainder of the season.

   --G Chris Paul (nasal fracture) suffered the injury Friday at San Antonio. Monday, Paul played without a protective mask for the first time since the injury.

   --F Kenyon Martin (sore ribs) played over 20 minutes Wednesday. Martin's been dealing with the injury over the last week. He's day-to-day.

ROTATION:
   Starters:
   --Point guard Chris Paul
   --Shooting guard Randy Foye
   --Small forward Caron Butler
   --Power forward Blake Griffin
   --Center DeAndre Jordan
   Bench:
   --Guard Mo Williams
   --Forward Bobby Simmons
   --Forward Reggie Evans
   --Forward Kenyon Martin
   --Guard Eric Bledsoe

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