Eric Bledsoe had 15 points and six rebounds in just 18 minutes on Saturday when the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1. The 23-year-old guard shot seven of seven overall and helped the Clippers pull away in the fourth quarter.

Chris Paul is a free agent at season's end but is sounding more and more positive about re-signing with the Clippers. Even so, Paul knows the Clippers will have a difficult time keeping Bledsoe long-term -- much less past this season.

"There’s no way he can be here next year because we probably won’t have enough money to pay him," Paul said.

Bledoe has one season left on his contract.

"He should be a starting point guard in this league next year," Paul said of Bledsoe.