Clippers acquire Bledsoe from Grizzlies in 4-player swap

The Los Angeles Clippers have traded Patrick Beverley, Rajon Rondo, and Daniel Oturu to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank announced Monday.

Bledsoe, 31, spent the first three seasons of his career with the Clippers. He averaged 12.2 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.4 boards over 71 appearances with the New Orleans Pelicans last season.

Memphis acquired Bledsoe from the Pelicans in a three-team trade earlier in August, but he never suited up for the Grizzlies.

"We are excited to add Eric, a strong, versatile guard and an established playmaker who can attack the paint and defend multiple positions," Frank said in a statement. "Eric started his career with the Clippers, and we're delighted to bring him back."

Bledsoe is under contract for two more seasons, but his salary for the 2022-23 campaign is only partially guaranteed.

The blockbuster deal provides the Clippers with an $8.3-million trade exception and reduces their luxury-tax bill by $30 million, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

Memphis, meanwhile, gains cap space next summer and will likely consider trading Beverley, Rondo, or Oturu, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

Beverley played a significant role for the Clippers over the past four seasons, averaging eight points while starting 144 contests. The 33-year-old guard shot nearly 40% from deep during his L.A. tenure and was an NBA All-Defensive second-team selection in 2019-20.

Rondo, 35, joined the Clippers in March in a mid-season trade from the Atlanta Hawks. The four-time All-Star provided productive minutes down the stretch, registering 7.6 points, 5.8 assists, and one steal per game across 18 appearances.

Oturu, originally selected 33rd overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in last year's draft, averaged 5.4 minutes in only 30 contests during his rookie campaign.

The 21-year-old is currently having a solid summer league performance, posting 10.8 points, 9.8 boards, and 3.3 blocks per game over four appearances in Las Vegas.