Offseason of talk about LMA potentially leaving the Blazers

[MakDagr]

After game 3 in the locker room, a friend that has worked closely with LA, thanked and told him that he appreciated their time together, just in-case he didn't return next season, and LA responded "You & me both"... take it for what it is...

[Wizenheimer]

IIRC, there was also some tension between Roy and LMA due to a perceived slight during their rookie year. It wasn't until the next year when they shot a commercial together and got stuck in the same room/trailer for an extended period that they smoothed over some of their issues. Even then, I don't think they ever got "close".

This article: http://www.csnnw.com/article/aldridge-r ... ds-court-0 is kind of interesting. I think it also maybe sheds a little amount of light regarding Aldridge's "moodiness". It does seem that Aldridge was bugged that Roy didn't text him directly, and instead went through a mutual friend (Crawford) to congratulate LMA on being named an all-star.

I remember that article, and a couple of others like it. Aldridge appears to have pretty substantial walls around himself and very few people can get in. He also seems to have a very broad definition of insults and personal slights

it makes me wonder just how close he is to his current teammates. He's played with Batum for 7 years, Matthews for 5, Blake for 4, Lillard for 3...and yet it might not be that he's anywhere as close to them as we'd assume based upon all that time together

if he's not as close, then the draw of family and familiarity in his home state of Texas, might be outsized compared to a 'normal' situation

all things considered, this will be the most interesting off-season for Portland in a very long time. Not only interesting, it might be the biggest pivot point ever for the franchise. If Portland loses 2 or 3 of their free agents, including Aldridge, you'd have to wonder what Paul Allen's reaction will be, and we know there would be one.

[MakDagr]

Yah friends in the locker room have said that he's isolated himself from everyone else, and has been even showing up wayyyy later to games than he use to. Seems to have already packed it in.

[Epicurus]

In truth, if Leonard plays for the rest of the playoffs, whenever they end, like he did last game, he will start next season. That would negate the need for an Aldridge midrange stretch PF. Aldridge would need to bang underneath more both offensive and defensively, something for which he is not fond. He would be unhappy and probably even less effective, beyond his happiness state. So, if Leonard has turned the page and is for real, the Blazers would be better off with a strong inside big, who enjoyed and made use of his size down low. A Drummond or Jordon type--boards and dependable putbacks.

[Blazinaway]

ok so if we lose all our FA including kaman. then I have a few options for each position as to who we could sign to replace them
PF - greg monroe, david west, or tristan thomspon
SG - danny green, gerald henderson, or iman shumpert
C - omer asik, roy hibbert, or jordan hill
backup C - kosta koufus, kevin seraphin, or henry simms
backup SF - jared dudley or tayshaun prince

Piston fan here. I hope it's ok for me to comment. I come in piece with a few thoughts on the power forwards.

Greg Monroe would work well with Lillard. Monroe is a high skilled big with a myriad of low post moves who does the vast majority of his damage in the paint. He will not stretch the D like LMA, but he will hit the cutter and get the opposing team in foul trouble. He has underrated defense (good one on one; poor help side defender) which can and has improved. Moose is definitely on his way out. Dumars blew this big for our franchise. He slighted Moose by not offering him an extension (which Moose wanted) AND by signing Josh Smith. Some other franchise will benefit greatly from our buffoonery. Maybe it'll be you.

David West would be a good addition. West brings toughness and skill. You won't have to worry about Zach Randolph and his bully ball, because West can match him there (strength for strength). Good team defender.

Tristan Thompson is a significant downgrade. He's really raw with a low ceiling. He's more athlete than basketball player.

Questions about LaMarcus Aldridge. I have in the past about him being a really sensitive and tempermental guy who is easily offended. During the great Brandon Roy days, I read LMA was offended that the team was being handed over to Roy. And again when the team drafted Greg Oden, LMA was said to feel like the odd man out. Recently articles surfaced about LMA feeling like the team treated him like a project during his early days and had no real committment to him.

Is there any truth to LMA allegedly being a moody dude? Or has the franchise sold him short during his time there?

have not watched much of Monroe, is he better at PF or C?

[The Sebastian Express]

LaMarcus has generally always been isolated from his teammates. I believe the only person that visited his house in his first five years here was Sergio. They were good friends.

[Ripcity4life]

This talk of LMA leaving is tiresome cause we hear tidbits of rumors and such we have no idea if they are true or not and LMA is not helping as someone correct me if i am wrong. I am not sure he has ever said he wanted to be back point blank but he seems to be more dancing around the issue. Maybe saying just enough but in some ways not saying what the fans need to hear that is causing all this speculation to happen. Hopefully when the season ends or shortly after it ends we will hear him say something that will clarify his position so the little tidbit rumors from questionable sources can stop.

[Wizenheimer]

Hopefully when the season ends or shortly after it ends we will hear him say something that will clarify his position so the little tidbit rumors from questionable sources can stop.

there is no benefit to Aldridge in making the rumors stop.

he knows the Blazers will not only offer the max, but will structure any deal just the way Aldridge and his agent wants

but with rumors flying, he may very well get more teams circling around, making offers, especially if those teams believe they have a great chance of signing him. Uncertainty will be to Aldridge's advantage. Furthermore, I'm beginning to suspect that Aldridge has truly arrived at a point where he does not know which way he's leaning. I think he has a foot out the door, and he'll pull the other foot out and walk away from Portland if another team tells him things he wants to hear...and that can't happen till July

so it will be full speed ahead on rumors and conjecture for the next 2 months...enjoy it Blazer fans...

[Malapropism]

Yah friends in the locker room have said that he's isolated himself from everyone else, and has been even showing up wayyyy later to games than he use to. Seems to have already packed it in.

Where/when was this said?

IIRC, his closest friend on the team is Wesley, but even then, they aren't close.

[Ripcity4life]

I am not expecting him to come out and say something like:

Portland is where i want to stay and my agent and olshey will work to make it happen

BUT

It would be nice to get a little more but i am starting to get the feeling that it's closer to 50/50 on if he leaves but not because of his family like some reports say could be the reason. I think he COULD be tired of being viewed as Robin by the Blazers as since he has been here he has been put behind Roy , Dame and even Oden before that reality struck.

[MakDagr]

Yah friends in the locker room have said that he's isolated himself from everyone else, and has been even showing up wayyyy later to games than he use to. Seems to have already packed it in.

Where/when was this said?

IIRC, his closest friend on the team is Wesley, but even then, they aren't close.

Following game 4. Even Wes before his injury, told guys that he wasn't going to give us any home discount, and whoever paid him the most, he would go to...but obviously...things have changed since he said that.

Bout a Month ago, heard LA had mentioned wanting a 1-year deal so that his Max deal could come when the TV $ has hit

[Malapropism]

Yah friends in the locker room have said that he's isolated himself from everyone else, and has been even showing up wayyyy later to games than he use to. Seems to have already packed it in.

Where/when was this said?

IIRC, his closest friend on the team is Wesley, but even then, they aren't close.

Following game 4. Even Wes before his injury, told guys that he wasn't going to give us any home discount, and whoever paid him the most, he would go to...but obviously...things have changed since he said that.

Bout a Month ago, heard LA had mentioned wanting a 1-year deal so that his Max deal could come when the TV $ has hit

Link?

Not being sarcastic, I really just want to see what was said exactly.

[d-train]

Spurs could renounce Duncan and Manu to create cap room and after using the cap room to sign a free agent, they could resign Duncan and Manu using exceptions. Duncan would retain his bird rights and would be eligible for a bigger (bird rights) contract in 2016. Duncan and Parker are aging but Kawhi is the Spurs best player and would still be the best player even if LA joined him. LA might like his chances of winning a championship better with Kawhi as his all-star teammate rather than Lillard.

Spurs and Duncan could agree to a 2yr/$5.9M deal with the 2nd year being a player option, then Duncan could opt out and Spurs could use bird rights to pay Duncan over $20M for 2016. The veteran’s minimum for Manu would be $1.5M and they can be 2yr contracts now. Or, Manu could also be a free agent again in 2016.

Agreeing to such a wink and nod deal would violate NBA rules and if proven there could be severe repercussions such as voiding of all contracts involved and loss of draft picks

I’m not suggesting a hidden agreement and or violation of CBA. I am suggesting a possible scenario that could happen if Duncan is willing to play for half his market value, which he has already done once before. So, the question is will he be willing to continue to do what he is already doing. Duncan's market value is over $20M per year but he was willing to play for less than half his value because it improved his team’s chances of success by making more money available to sign better teammates. The CBA rules allow Spurs to renounce Duncan's cap hold and then resign him using a $2.8M exception after using cap room to sign another player. The CBA rules also allow an option year if the option is for an amount greater than $2.8M but less than 107.5% of $2.8M. And, the CBA rules allow the Spurs to use "bird rights" to go over the cap to resign Duncan if he opts to become a free agent again in 2016. And, Duncan’s market value will likely still be over $20M in 2016.

The uniqueness of the situation for the Spurs is not created by a violation of CBA. Duncan is a unique player because his talent and skill make him worth over $20M per year. And, it’s somewhat unique that Duncan is willing to play for less than his value in exchange for basketball success. I say "somewhat unique" because there are more players willing to play for less than their value than there are players worth more than $20M per year.

[MakDagr]

Where/when was this said?

IIRC, his closest friend on the team is Wesley, but even then, they aren't close.

Following game 4. Even Wes before his injury, told guys that he wasn't going to give us any home discount, and whoever paid him the most, he would go to...but obviously...things have changed since he said that.

Bout a Month ago, heard LA had mentioned wanting a 1-year deal so that his Max deal could come when the TV $ has hit

Link?

Not being sarcastic, I really just want to see what was said exactly.

Sorry man, no link, just saying what I know friends, that work for the Blazers and are in the locker room every game, have told me. Wish I had something to be optimistic about to spread.

[oldfishermen]

We heard many of the same rumors the last time LMA was re-negotiating his contract. Including but not limited to LMA notifying his landlord that he would (or was it could?) be moving out of Portland at the end of the season. One rumor said he was already packed and half moved out of Portland. It did not happen.

I believe most of the rumors we are seeing lately may be legitimate, but they do not mean LMA is leaving; just like the last rumors did not mean LMA left the Blazers after the last contract negotiation. I believe most if not all of what is going on right now is LMA and his agent posturing for the best possible contract. LMA is in business mode, as he should be.

I can see how a one year contract this offseason would be a topic of conversation in ALL NBA locker rooms. I am not sold that LMA wants a one year deal, but I believe he talked about it. A one year contract may result in LMA making more money during his career, but there is no guarantee that would happen. LMA only has to look at how much Wes’s injury has affected his next contract and future earnings. And how much BRoy was paid after he could no longer play, due to the length of his contract.

I believe LMA will sign the best deal and most secure deal for his family. A 5 year max contract with the Blazers, and call it a good day.

[Jsun947]

I'm not going to assume that anyone with 20 post has any credible or real information what so ever.

What we do know as a fact

Aldridge is more or less a loaner.
Aldridge likes his privacy and values his family a whole hell of a lot
Aldridge isnt the party type.
Aldridge wants to win. He does not want to rebuild.

I have serious doubts he's going to pass up the max with us to pay for a team like Philly, Boston, or Minny with no chance at competing.

I can see him joining a Texas team but I cannot see him joining one that's been torn apart.

SA would be interesting but they would have to waive the rights to Manu, Duncan, Green, Joseph, etc to be able to sign him. After that they can't go above the MLE to retain any of those players. Their depth would be shot and they would be totally empty at SG... It would hinge more on them having to move Splitter for nothing, and even then they are super thin and a injury to an aging Duncan or Parker would destroy them. When those two are done they are practically back in mediocrity.

Dallas is a mess and makes no sense how they can compete for a championship after signing LMA. Too much cap space tied up and no assets left.

Houston would have to move about everyone not named Harden or Howard for nothing. After that they are capped out...

None of these are great options for him and that's why his best bet is staying in Portland.

[d-train]

Aldridge is more or less a loaner.

Is that talent on loan from God?

[Fitz303]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/593476303824801792[/tweet]

Dirk saying that he would accept a bench role to bring in a marquee FA. That's honestly the only place I can see LMA leaving for, and I think it just became even more possible

[Wizenheimer]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/593476303824801792[/tweet]

Dirk saying that he would accept a bench role to bring in a marquee FA. That's honestly the only place I can see LMA leaving for, and I think it just became even more possible

problem is that right now, Dallas would be at 47 million in guaranteed salary and cap-holds, and that would be before calculating any salary or cap-hold for Tyson Chandler. It also doesn't account for the impact if Monta Ellis opts-out of the final year of his deal

Dallas will have a difficult time coming up with enough cap-space to sign Aldridge and keep Chandler. And that begs the question of if Aldridge would go to Dallas knowing he'd be a full-time C

[d-train]

The Mavs have $27.7M in committed salary in 2015 plus the cap holds of Chandler, Ellis, and Aminu. The only cap hold that is a problem is Chandler's. I would say the Mavs are well situated to make a run at LA if they have the support of their players. They certainly have Dirk’s support who is playing for less than half his value.