i believe Cyberx himself said he thought LMA end up in Houston, or at least that there's a good chance. so we've got 2 insiders saying it's more than just a courtesy meeting. Still, I don't think it's likely. If Ariza is gone, do you just try to figure it out between KJ, Brewer and Dekker? Seems risky to not have a proven wing defender like Ariza.
um becomes he comes in as the first option right away, Tony, Kawhi, Duncan (who can play C or off the bench) and Pop are still there. Great situation for him
Uh, if Portland is a "player or two away", that player is a max-level player... and they have no financial ability to get one. (Even if they did, they're a very small market, which works against them.) They were embarrassed by the Spurs in the second round a year ago and were crushed in the first round this year by a Memphis team that wasn't especially good themselves. The Blazers are firmly in good-but-not-great territory -- they're good enough to stay competitive, but not good enough to legitimately challenge for a ring, and they have no financial ability to get the caliber of player they need to push them to that next level. Also, because they're a playoff team, they're unlikely to acquire said player through the draft. Aldridge sees that and wants to go to another team where he has a better shot at winning.
When is the last time we had a boring offseason? Daryl Morey...keeping me on Clutchfans 12 months a year.
Spurs are the Spurs i get it but a team that just made i to the WCF and has Harden and Howard is just as good, yes?
Doc recently also said his main Houston sources have now moved to other organizations and he mentioned SA and PHX specifically, so in regards to LMA, and it being mainly SA and HOU involved (with LA, DAL, etc also interested) I do trust Doc's insight here more then even in other places.
Is a team with Aldridge as its first option good enough to win a ring? Personally, I don't think it is. And some players don't think that way. 2010 Chris Bosh turned down multiple offers to be "first option" for the sake of being a second or third wheel on a potential dynasty. Let's let this process play out rather than make assumptions about what Aldridge must want.
What happens when Tony, Timmy, Ginobli, and maybe Pop retire. There is so much questions in the future for the Spurs. If LMA comes to the Rockets he can contend for a title for a longer span of time.
We cannot have that idea. The only way LMA comes here is through a SnT. Let's hope Portland does not want Ariza.
Maybe not good enough in Portland (they never even built a serious team around him), but with the Spurs probably yes (he'll have a pretty good shot at it). @mmotala26 LMA isn't exactly young either, he's about to turn 30
Look, folks, the difficult part is getting the player to choose your team. For a team in the Rockets situation, the technical details of working out cap space or a sign and trade can be worked out. The Rockets have enough short-term/non-guaranteed match salaries + assets with value to either entice a team like Portland or Cleveland into a S&T or, if absolutely necessary, create enough cap room to straight-up sign the guy. It's not like they need to dump a player with a 3 year, $50M contract in order as a part of a transaction.
The only reason i would be he will, is the fact that he can receive a richer max contract next year. Go all in for a championship this year and not gut his future team in the process.
The age is the very reason the Spurs do not make sense. Tim Ducan will be there next year and then retire. For the fact Parker and Giniobli will probably retire then too. After that the Spurs will have holes in that lineup. They will only have Lenoard as the only key piece. If he would come here at least he would have James Harden and Dwight Howard for a couple of seasons, while he is still in his prime.
