After a dismal playoff showing, LaMarcus Aldridge could be on the move once again. According to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7, the San Antonio Spurs are looking to trade Aldridge, preferably for a top-five pick:
Spurs already looking to move LaMarcus Aldridge – offered him to move into the top 5 of the draft.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) June 21, 2017
The teams currently holding a top-five pick in order are the 76ers, Lakers, Celtics, Suns, and Kings.
The 76ers and Lakers are likely not in the mix as teams with young cores needing to continue building through the draft. The Suns were reportedly clearing cap space to sign Aldridge before he joined the Spurs. The Celtics need a more defensive-minded big who can rebound, and the Kings are the Kings.
Aldridge’s trade value may be at its lowest. His style of play is no longer in demand and he showed demonstrable regression in the playoffs. He is under contract for two more years and a combined $44 million.
It’s unlikely that the Spurs find someone to surrender a top-five pick for Aldridge. Nevertheless, a team desperate to add all-star caliber play (even if it’s unlikely that Aldridge will reach all-star status again) could budge and give the Spurs some serious value in return. More important than the pick could be the cap space it creates for San Antonio (which may be the reason behind shopping Danny Green) as they attempt to sign the likes of Chris Paul in free agency.
