Rumors linkedthe Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers in trade talks that would send Jamal Crawford to L.A. for Eric Bledsoe and Ryan Gomes. While L.A.'s role in any Crawford trade iscontingent on Gomes' contract being included, according to one source,Sean DeveneyofSportingNews.com reportsthey might be reluctant to move Bledsoe, too. -------------------------- The Clippers remain one of the more active teams heading into Thursday’s trading deadline, as they continue to attempt to fill the void left by Chauncey Billups’ injury. Billups’ absence has put the Clippers in a tough position. Their only viable trade chip is Eric Bledsoe, who has played just 15 games this year and is averaging 1.6 points. But the Clippers feel they can develop Bledsoe into a starting-quality point guard, which would be important should Chris Paul leave as a free agent in 2013. Bledsoe is their insurance policy. At the same time, if the Clippers trade Bledsoe for a player who can help them now, they can boost their playoff chances and perhaps convince Paul to stay long-term. Still, the fear of trading Bledsoe, getting a player who won’t help them much and losing Paul to boot is causing the Clippers some trepidation. -------------------------- -- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com |Twitter