LaMarcus Aldridge’s time with the Portland Trail Blazers is all but over now. The biggest name free agent that will most likely switch teams is getting ready to take on some meeting this week with the most interested teams. While some might have the money to offer him the max-level deal he deserves, like the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors, there are also plans for him to meet with the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets. Both Texas teams might have to workout some deals to free up cap space and bring Aldridge in.
With the Raptors now in the mix, it offers a possible interesting dynamic to Aldridge’s leverage with other teams.
Following from Shams Charania of Real GM.
Portland Trail Blazers star free agent LaMarcus Aldridge has plans to meet with the Toronto Raptors this week, league sources told RealGM.
Aldridge has an an interest in the Raptors, who hold space for a maximum contract offer to the, sources said. In his free-agent meetings, Aldridge will be joined by his mother, Georgia.
Nevertheless, the San Antonio Spurs are considered a strong candidate to sign Aldridge out of the Portland Trail Blazers, and the four-time All-Star has several other meetings, too.
Aldridge will consider meeting with the Houston Rockets, among his other sitdowns, sources said. As an unrestricted free agent for the first time, Aldridge only benefits with his due diligence from interested teams.
The Raptors throwing their hat in the running is quite interesting to think about. While the possibility of him joining the Raptors might be strange, given he and Jonas Valenciunas might both be occupying the same space in the post but Aldridge also has the range to step out and shoot from midrange to give Valenciunas some space.
On the flipside, joining one of the Texas teams could help Aldridge get closer to the important championship that he desires. Especially as he gets closer to the end of his career.
