NBA Trade Rumors: 5 teams that should target LaMarcus Aldridge ahead of the deadline.
LaMarcus Aldridge and the San Antonio Spurs are reportedly working on finding the big man a new home, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The news reportedly came from Gregg Popovich, who commented on the former All-Star’s situation with the San Antonio Spurs.
It seems that Popovich and the Spurs are working together with Aldridge in order to find him the best fit, as the two parties are seemingly heading in different directions. Aldridge is in the twilight years of his career and will be seeking a team that gives him the best chance to contribute and work towards a championship.
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs are building around a youth moment with players such as Dejounte Murray and Lonnie Walker leading the charge, meaning that they may start trying to help other veteran players move on.
While it is unclear whether Aldridge will be traded or eventually bought out, there will be some interest from numerous teams around the league who will be looking to bolster their rosters by adding the talents of the seven-time All-Star.
However, while numerous teams will contact the Spurs about acquiring Aldridge, there are five teams that should heavily pursue the veteran.
NBA teams that should target LaMarcus Aldridge: Portland Trail Blazers
This move seems like it could be a very likely option, as Aldridge has seemed interested in returning to the team he started his career with. Both Jusuf Nurkic and Damian Lillard have shown interest in having Aldridge on the team, with Lillard believing that if Aldridge had stayed that the two players would have won a championship together.
Damian Lillard via The Player’s Tribune:
"“I was just like excited to be the point guard that got to play with him. I was like if me and him going to play together, I’m going to keep getting better so I can match him. And we gonna win it. That’s what I thought.”"
Whether Aldridge would be a starter or a bench player is unclear, but he would fit this team well, providing another player who can crash the glass and a big man who can stretch the floor, as the former All-Star is averaging nearly 40 percent from the 3-point line this season.
Seeing Aldridge return to the team where he was at his peak and reunite with Damian Lillard would be a great to see, as the two could contend for a championship together. Aldridge retiring in Rip City would also be a fitting end to his career when it comes to a close.
NBA teams that should target LaMarcus Aldridge: Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers seem to be on every trade rumor list, with the team constantly trying to bolster its roster in order to repeat their success from last season. However, due to their struggles in the frontcourt, Aldridge would be a perfect fit for the Lakers (even with notable big men such as Drummond and Cousins available).
Sam Amick of the Athletic stated that the Lakers are reportedly looking to add another big man when discussing destinations for Aldridge (subscription required). The reasoning for the Lakers’ search for a big reportedly is due to the team being less than satisfied with the performance of Marc Gasol.
Aldridge would help with the Lakers frontcourt woes, providing a solid replacement for Davis while he is out due to injury. The former All-Star would also be an asset when Davis returns, with the big man providing the Lakers more ability to stretch the floor than they already have and being a much better scorer than Gasol at this point in their careers.
NBA teams that should target LaMarcus Aldridge: Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks have had an unpredictable season, to say the least. The Mavs had a weak start to the season, but have since picked up the pace, winning their last four games. Much of Dallas’s concern over the past few seasons has been the health of Kristaps Porzingis.
Porzingis, while impressively averaging 20.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, has only played 21 of the Mavericks’ 35 games this season. His lack of good health means that acquiring a solid backup or frontcourt partner would be beneficial for the Mavs.
Enter Aldridge, who provides some similar characteristics for the Mavericks as Porzingis as a big who can stretch the floor. He also has the ability to help the Mavericks in the rebounding department, with the big man averaging 8.3RPG on his career.
While his age and injury concerns may turn the Mavericks off trading for him, Aldridge could be just the sort of move the Mavs need to help them contend for a championship against the likes of the Lakers and Brooklyn.
NBA teams that should target LaMarcus Aldridge: Miami Heat
While this move may seem to make the least sense on the list, Aldridge could be a valued mentor for a number of young big men for the Miami Heat, with this move having the potential for Aldridge to become another mentor to help build the young core.
Players such as Bam Adebayo and Precious Achiuwa would benefit immensely from having a veteran big man such as Aldridge to guide them in their development. This move would also give Aldridge the chance to be competitive in the Eastern Conference, as the Heat are coming off an NBA Finals appearance last season.
Aldridge could still provide the Heat with some production as well, as the big man can still contribute a decent amount of scoring per game. The Heat also has some young assets to trade to the Spurs that they may be interested in.
The Heat’s season has been a bit back and forth this year, so expect the team to make a move to try and fix the course their season is going, with Aldridge being able to slot right in the starting lineup next to Adebayo.
NBA teams that should target LaMarcus Aldridge: Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are an interesting contender for Aldridge, as the club has a staggering $28.5 million dollar trade exception they required from the sign-and-trade deal that sent Gordon Hayward to the Charlotte Hornets.
Boston needs extreme help in the frontcourt if it is going to contend in the Eastern Conference, as the struggles from that big men have seen a decline in the Celtics’ performance this year. As David Aldridge stated during a discussion with The Athletic (subscription required), the Celtics need to be all over the prospect of bringing in LaMarcus Aldridge.
As mentioned by David Aldridge, LaMarcus Aldridge would help the Celtics in their pursuit of the playoffs and contending with the other bigs in the East. Aldridge provides the team with the ability to stretch the floor and score while being an impressive rebounder.
For the right price, Aldridge could be a steal for the Celtics and would fit right in alongside their young star tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.