NBA Rumors: LaMarcus Aldridge has reportedly been flirting with the thought of returning to Portland to play with Damian Lillard
It came as somewhat of a surprise when LaMarcus Aldridge elected to leave the Portland Trail Blazers and sign with the San Antonio Spurs a few years ago in free agency, but if he has it his way he could find his way back to Damian Lillard sooner rather than later.
Aldridge is under contract for another two seasons with the Spurs (through 2020-21), but is reportedly already flirting with the thought of making his way back into the arms of Lillard and the Trail Blazers.
According to a report from Jason Quick of The Athletic (subscription required), Aldridge has made it clear that he eventually wants to end his career where it started – in Portland, and wants to play with Lillard again.
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What make this all interesting is the fact that this could very much come into fruition sooner rather than later, even more so considering that the Spurs will be in somewhat of a crossroads this summer.
Even though they’ll a shoe-in for the playoffs this season, there is still very much to be decided in San Antonio. They aren’t good enough to compete with the other top teams in the Western Conference, but at the same time need to find an identity and a new franchise player (with Kawhi Leonard now in Toronto.
Aldridge is simply not a player that can carry a franchise anymore, and even less so in the new NBA where everything is more perimeter-oriented. The potential trio of Aldridge, Lillard and C.J. McCollum also sounds quite intriguing in Portland.
McCollum didn’t quite burst onto the scene until the year after Aldridge was already gone, but you can’t help but play the “what if” game in this scenario.
Could the Spurs help facilitate a Aldridge to Portland trade this summer – or eventually? Sure. However, it won’t come without a plan on the part of San Antonio. And right now, I’m not sure if there’s one in place.
While the thought of LaMarcus Aldridge make a heroic return to Portland sounds intriguing, it will have to remain just that – a thought – until he becomes a free agent or and unexpected change happens in the San Antonio front office.