<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LaMarcus Aldridge plans to give the Raptors a meeting this week, sources tell RealGM. Aldridge has interest in TOR, which has max space.</p>— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/615601594738970624">June 29, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
LA fans are spoiled because Jerry Buss was responsible for being good at empowering the right people at the right time to make the moves necessary to win.
This goes back to the theory Old Man Rock had about LMA potentially setting up a SNT of where he wants to go. He has no reason to visit with Toronto unless it's to create leverage with Portland to let them know he has multiple legit options to bolt with Portland getting nothing in return.
Please God let him sign there. Or anywhere in the East. Enough with All-Stars in the West switching teams within the same conference(unless it's the Rockets of course:grin.
That contradicts the report that Ujiri is looking to blow the roster up because he feels like they've peaked. I'm not sure what I believe, but one thing is for certain: Aldridge meeting with the Raptors can probably be taken as a positive if you're a Rockets fan because it increases the likelihood that Portland will work a S&T. If there are teams out there willing to offer LMA the max, you can bet Portland would be scared to lose him for nothing.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">RealGM Sources: LaMarcus Aldridge planning free-agent meeting with Toronto; considering Houston Rockets sitdown. <a href="http://t.co/EsYH0YCixI">http://t.co/EsYH0YCixI</a></p>— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/615609115818102784">June 29, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I would love it if we could just get a meeting with him. As others have mentioned, I don't see how we are being used like Melo did as we don't have the cap space. If he truly has some interest then a meeting is all Morey will ask to see if it is a match. Having Aldridge on SA would suck!!! The way I see it, he has a couple of realistic options at a ring in the order below. San Antonio - great situation/coach but may be tough having Duncan playing Center for a whole season but if anyone can manage it is the Spurs. Would most likely have to be a sign and trade from what I can tell but threat of signing him outright. Question is how many more years are the Spurs going to remain at the top? Kawhi is good but him and LMA are not enough to be perennial contenders. Houston - Would be a great fit more than likely next to Howard and for the next several years. We have plenty of depth in frontcourt that LMA would not have to play Center for long periods at a time. Would have to be sign and trade with very tiny chance of clearing cap space. Dallas - no way but probably better option than LA, bad fit with Dirk Los Angeles - threat of cap space is huge in his negotiations. I just can't see him being that interested playing with a hobbled Kobe. Toronto - No way, threat of cap space again.
This is the first "official" mention of LMA and Houston. But CyberX already said the Rockets plan to meet with LMA in LA on July 1st.
I don't think the Rockets have a realistic shot at LMA without the potential or actual cap space to sign him outright.
Sign and trade Ariza, DMo, Prigs, Papa etc. LMA can go just about anywhere and that team can make it work. Portland would much rather have DMo or Capela or Dekker or whatever than nothing.
Sorry, but why would Portland help a playoff team in the West? Even if they did they would want more than guys who were mid to late round picks.
It's not about helping us. It's about helping themselves. And it's not about where you were drafted it's about how good you are and getting some value rather than none. It's just smart GM'ing. DMo is pretty good with some upside left. Capela has a lot of upside. Both are better than where they were selected. In this situation a GM will take a decent player with upside and a small salary then what they lose.
It will not be like the Blazers will be contending anytime soon if they lose LMA. By the time they contend again the Rockets will not be contending because we will most likely not have Howard. Also, LMA will be older and we will just have Harden.
Losing LMA means a full rebuild and no playoff spot most likely. The Blazers are about to lose a ton Afflalo, Matthews, Lopez etc Batum is gone, they got Vonleh and are going young around Lilliard. While DMo, Jones, and Capela, were mid picks all are dirt cheap and are worth way more than their current paltry contracts. Portland would be stupid to let LMA walk for nothing versus getting a talented 7 footer like DMo. Ariza is also a useful player though Portland could decide to move him for picks or other young talent.
"Spurs Make Tiago Splitter Available In Trade Talks" http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/238468/Spurs-Make-Tiago-Splitter-Available-In-Trade-Talks I don't understand... why reject trade interest during the draft only to be open to trading Splitter a few days later? To see his value? Hmm..
Mike Bresnahan The Lakers are moving quickly, will meet with LaMarcus Aldridge immediately after free agency begins Tuesday at 9:01 pm. 8:19pm - 29 Jun 15
@RClarkeASU: .@WojYahooNBA reports that Lamarcus Aldridge is deciding between signing w/ the Spurs and a 5-year deal with the Blazers.. *heavy breathing*
