Update:
Not long after initial reports that the Spurs were looking to trade LaMarcus Aldridge, we had our first conflicting report.
FWIW, Spurs sources are denying trade talks involving LaMarcus Aldridge have taken place.
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) October 18, 2016
If the Spurs were to decide to rebuild, I don't think anyone is untouchable except guys named Kawhi. Don't think we're there yet, though.
— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) October 18, 2016
That leaves the door open for potential trades, still. But it appears the Spurs are in no rush to part ways with their recent free agent acquisition.
Original Story Follows:
LaMarcus Aldridge was wooed by Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs in the summer of 2015. It was a touching tale of courtship and a commitment from Coach Pop and the Spurs core including Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. It was all supposed to be simple. LaMarcus would leave the Portland Trail Blazers sign with the Spurs, Tim Duncan would eventually retire and then it would be LaMarcus and Kawhi Leonard leading the charge into the future.
But Aldridge admitted to some early season fit issues and a second round exit in the playoffs – the same round the Blazers were eliminared – made a possibility of Aldridge’s departure even more realistic. Just one season in and it appears that the Aldridge journey might be over before phase two begins. The Spurs are reportedly looking at options to move on from LA.
Last week, ESPN’s Zach Lowe had a small excerpt on the potential trade possibilites for LaMarcus Aldridge. He wanted everyone to keep an eye on the possibility of a deal.
The Spurs will see if this team outperforms expectations. If it doesn’t, they should take calls on Aldridge. He’s really good, and there are a lot of impatient owners chasing immediate gratification. If opportunism meets desperation, the Spurs could fleece some rival and restock with a bundle of assets that better line up with Leonard’s timetable.
The odds are against any deal happening. Signing Gasol to a two-year deal (with a player option for 2017-18) is something of an all-in move, and even if Gasol opts out after this season, the Aldridge-Leonard combo is a shiny lure for free agents. But if the season unfolds the wrong way, here’s betting the Spurs at least listen.
Now, those rumblings are beginning to become roars as both Jackie MacMullan of ESPN and Jabari Young of the ‘San Antonio Express-News’ are reporting that the Spurs are actually looking at options to move on from LaMarcus.
Jackie said the following to CSNNE.
And Young reports that the emergence of Kawhi Leonard could be the reason for LaMarcus’ displeasure.
In the start of year two, it appears the LaMarcus Aldridge experiment in San Antonio is in danger of collapsing.
The Express-News has been informed the Spurs are open to trading the former Longhorn should the right package surface.Those close to the situation suggest Aldridge may not be happy at the moment. The belief is the Spurs pitched him on becoming the center of their offense when they recruited him in 2015, and that hasn’t occurred with the rise of Kawhi Leonard.
No matter what does happen with Aldridge, Young did elude to a very important part. The Spurs and their general manager R.C. Buford are not ones to panic, ever. They will most likely go through the season with Aldridge on their team and see what happens when the offseason arises. But if the post-Tim Duncan era gets off to a bad start, it might be time to get value back for Aldridge, especially if teams like Boston or Phoenix are looking to give up some young talent and draft picks, why not? It’s Kawhi’s team anyway, according to Aldridge.
