RealGM

We may have suspected it, but looks like it is for real.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13145694/portland-trail-blazers-growing-belief-forward-lamarcus-aldridge-leave-team-free-agency

LaMarcus Aldridge is not expected to re-sign with the Portland Trail Blazers, several people close to the All-Star forward told ESPN's Chris Broussard.

And Wednesday's trade of forward Nicolas Batum was an indication, league sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein, of Portland's growing belief that Aldridge is poised to leave in free agency.

"He's gone," a source close to Aldridge said. "There's a 99.9 percent chance that he's out of Portland."

I thought it was 100% over a year ago, every team will and should have interest, good chance he ends up in Texas in my opinion.

hope remains west.

Hope he becomes a Piston

Eh, he'll sign in a big market or join one of the contending teams that has managed to cultivate cap space.

The Arn Tellem pipe dream. We've got an in now, we need Stan to get in the room with him, sell him on winning in the East, playing next to Drummond on a young rising core.

Drummond
LMA
Winslow
KCP
Jackson

San Antonio, Dallas or LAL. Texas is home, and Lakers are Lakers.

It would have to be a miracle for him to pick us to sign with but I would absolutely love it if he did. He would be a great piece for Detroit but but just don't see it happening with bright scenarios for him.

Kilo wrote:San Antonio, Dallas or LAL. Texas is home, and Lakers are Lakers.

Houston might be able to cultivate some cap space. They're a distinct possibility too.

We on the other hand, well, I said SVG would at least make a call on the major FAs last year, but it doesn't even look like that happened. He probably won't waste his time on a free agent out of his league.

its not a pipe dream to get LMA. It is actually a possibility. The west is TOO DIFFICULT. if he was smart he would consider the pistons who have a great roster for him and chance to draft a good SF to fill the last hole.

jackson/jennings
kcp/meeks
johnson
lma/iilya/tolliver
drummond

that 9 guys is far better then what most teams can offer plus a great coach plus the money plus the younger core plus the chance to compete in the easy east.

if he was SMART he would choose the pistons. hence the word, smart.

It would be nice if we were positioned to sign an player like LMA. We're several years away from having the kind of roster that would attract a player of his caliber.

I used to be a huge LMA fan, but with his injuries and that his defense is suspect and the fact he'll get max, makes him less appealing to me. He shoots A LOT of jumpers, I'm just not sure he'd be the direction I'd go.

i want svg to at least talk with him and kevin love and see what happens

ImHeisenberg wrote:It would be nice if we were positioned to sign an player like LMA. We're several years away from having the kind of roster that would attract a player of his caliber.

I agree - to a point.

LMA would immediately elevate us to top 4 in the East IMO and from there it comes down to match ups and a little luck

Dre, LMA, FA vet, KCP, RJ is a quality starting unit with Illyasova, Tolliver, Rookie, Meeks, BJ, Dinwiddie and Anthony the other active players.

He's suffered enough in the West one would hope lol

He COULD go to any Western team and battle it out again...but taking the path of least resistance might be in play

With the Ilyasova acquisition, we don't even have the capspace to attempt to chase Aldridge

princeofpalace wrote:With the Ilyasova acquisition, we don't even have the capspace to attempt to chase Aldridge

I haven't been following the salary cap as much as years past, but how much cap room do the Pistons currently have? And how much room will they have if they renounce Greg Monroe?

We still have somewhere near $8 million to sign someone. Then we can pull the ol double sign and trade maneuver with Monroe for Aldridge ;) Or we renounce Monroe and have somewhere near $18mil to sign Aldridge outright. I'll take the 1st option :)

I have zero expectations that Detroit will even get an audience with LMA.

But, if Arn, Stan & Bower pulled it off, this board would implode.

princeofpalace wrote:With the Ilyasova acquisition, we don't even have the capspace to attempt to chase Aldridge

Yeah, I think his max starts at more than the 18-19 mill we have in cap space.