Offseason of talk about LMA potentially leaving the Blazers

[MakDagr]

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.

Like I said...take it for what you want...but everyone in the organization that I talk to daily believe we no longer have a good shot at LA...the only positive is, his mood/mind changes on a daily basis they say

[The Sebastian Express]

I see no way he goes to Dallas. He can't surpass Dirk, the supporting cast is worse (perhaps significantly) than ours (even when both are healthy), they traded away all their depth and a first for Rondo who was a massive failure, Parsons may need microfracture surgery. The only Texas team I'd be concerned about is the Spurs.

I should probably put a disclaimer with that is I can't see a way he goes to Dallas unless he desperately, desperately wants to be close to his two little boys who live in Texas year round to my understanding.

[oldfishermen]

There is an “old party game” that is fun to play. A person starts the game by making a short comment by whispering it in another person’s ear. The person that hears the comment then whispers their understanding of the comment, using their own words, into the next person’s ear. And so on down the line, with each person using their own words to whisper their understanding of the comment they hear. The last person in line then uses their own words, but says their understanding of the comment out load to the entire party group.

The end result is usually very good laugh. Most often, the meaning of the first person’s message is so distorted by each person’s view, that the last person’s comment has very little resemblance, if any, to the original message. The more people repeating the comment (or rumor), the less chance the comment has of being accurate when you hear it.

The LMA rumors we are hearing remind me of this party game. By the time a LMA rumor is passed on by several people that did not hear the original message, the entire meaning could, and often is, completely different then what LMA really meant.

Keep this party game in mind every time you hear a rumor. Unless you have a verifiable quote from the original person, view the rumor with skepticism and not literally. When you add in people with agendas starting a rumor, such as the Blazer’s staff (who have concerns over losing a player), player agents (trying to make the biggest check for them selves), and other GMs (trying to steal a player), the very source can create a misleading rumor to further their own agenda.

If you do not believe how much the meaning of a comment or rumor can change with each retelling, try this old party game.

[The Sebastian Express]

That game is called TELEPHONE!

[Manuel Calavera]

I want aldridge gone after that purple monkey dishwasher remark

[oldfishermen]

I forgot to add in another MAJOR rumor source with an agenda, reporters with anonymous sources (to increase their ratings).

[oldfishermen]

That game is called TELEPHONE!

What do you kids play for fun now at parties, spin the telephone?

[The Sebastian Express]

That game is called TELEPHONE!

What do you kids play for fun now at parties, spin the telephone?

lol. I have no clue! Introverts for life!

[PDXKnight]

I tend to not trust the reliability of someone with 22 posts.

[Wizenheimer]

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.

I have no idea where you're getting your information:

Chandler Parsons $15,361,500
Tyson Chandler (cap-hold = $20,644,400)
Monta Ellis $8,720,000 (player option, otherwise $10,032,000 cap-hold)
Dirk Nowitzki $8,333,334
Devin Harris $4,053,000
Raymond Felton $3,950,313 (player option)
Al-Farouq Aminu $1,100,602 (player option)
Dwight Powell $845,059 (acquired in trade. Signed 2-year contract with Cavaliers on August 23, 2014)
Gal Mekel $947,276 (Signed July 11, 2013 for an assumed minimum salary for 3 years)
3 roster charges $1,575,000 (approximate)

44.6 million

http://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/DAL.html
http://data.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/salaries/mavericks.jsp

player options are not cap-holds. The team has no ability to renounce unless the player opts out. Ellis and Aminu have player options

and the Mavs still have their 2015 draft pick which would hack another 700K off of their space

without Tyson Chandler and maybe, to a lesser extent, Monta Ellis, the Mavs would be a likely lottery team, even with Aldridge. Dallas will have to do some major salary-cap gymnastics to create enough space to sign Aldridge and still have a viable playoff roster. I'm not saying they can't do it...Cuban can be creative, but getting 19 million in space will be a tall task. Of course, it may be that Aldridge really, really wants to go home to Dallas

[The Sebastian Express]

Post count means very little. MakDagr has posted stuff before. You can take it how you will.

[GreenRiddler]

I wouldn't mind as much before this series. It has really soured me on LMA, it shouldn't but I really wanna see us commit to FB points next year and I don't think we can with LMA.

If he leaves I hope Rolo is right behind him, as he is only a good fit for us with LMA.

I would make a run at Monroe and try to sign a mid level type defensive PF.

[gmoney411]

People keep talking about San Antonio going after Aldridge. While I agree it's a possibility, getting there is
of the other two Texas teams, Houston won't have cap-space...

houston can waive papanikolau and dump jones and motjejunas easily

they can waive papanikolau....that would put them at about 61 million in guaranteed salary.

dumping Jones and Motjejunas only gains them 3.7 million in space because they dump 4.8 million in salary but are then assessed 1.1 million in roster charges. So all they'd have is about 10 million in cap-space, maybe less

and that does not account for Patrick Beverly, Josh Smith, Jason Terry, or the Pelican's 1st round pick that Houston owns

like I said...no effective cap-space in any Aldridge sweepstakes

A few Houston notes. Brewer declined his option before the trade. Second, Ariza was signed to a descending contract which I would guess was partly done to make him easier to move. If LMA and Houston wanted to make it happen I'd guess they'd dump Ariza, DMo/Jones and picks to a team like the 6ers. The 6ers would just flip Ariza later while collecting more young players and assets. Other moves would have to be made but if they can dump Ariza getting the rest of the space shouldn't be too hard.

[GreenRiddler]

houston can waive papanikolau and dump jones and motjejunas easily

they can waive papanikolau....that would put them at about 61 million in guaranteed salary.

dumping Jones and Motjejunas only gains them 3.7 million in space because they dump 4.8 million in salary but are then assessed 1.1 million in roster charges. So all they'd have is about 10 million in cap-space, maybe less

and that does not account for Patrick Beverly, Josh Smith, Jason Terry, or the Pelican's 1st round pick that Houston owns

like I said...no effective cap-space in any Aldridge sweepstakes

A few Houston notes. Brewer declined his option before the trade. Second, Ariza was signed to a descending contract which I would guess was partly done to make him easier to move. If LMA and Houston wanted to make it happen I'd guess they'd dump Ariza, DMo/Jones and picks to a team like the 6ers. The 6ers would just flip Ariza later while collecting more young players and assets. Other moves would have to be made but if they can dump Ariza getting the rest of the space shouldn't be too hard.

I hope he doesn't mind being a 3rd banana.

[monopoman]

I have a feeling Aldridge will address the media about this situation soon, he doesn't seem the type to love the media hounding him about where the hell he is signing every 2 seconds. Which will happen once the NBA Finals end and may happen even before that point.

[Redeemed]

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?

Most Piston fans argue that Monroe is better at the C where he can use his driving ability to his advantage. At PF he struggles against stretch 4s, but stretch 4s struggle guarding him in the post.

[Jsun947]

How much does LMA's Max contract start at again?

[Jsun947]

never mind, looks like about 18.7 mil.

So if the Spurs waive the rights to everyone, convince Leonard to wait to sign his deal, then sign LMA to a max contract it would leave them about 4.2 mil in cap space. Then they can resign Leonard and they would only have the 2.8 mil exception to use.

The line-up would be

4.2 mil player, 2.8 mil player and
Parker/Mills/?
?/?/?
Leonard/?/Anderson
Aldridge/Diaw/?
?/Splitter/?

Obviously Duncan would have to agree to play for 4.2 or 2.8 mil... Let's say he's super nice and says 2.8.. That team is old as hell with holes everywhere.

[Downtown]

Like everyone else I hope Aldridge decides to stay and accept the maximum contract offer. But I don't pretend to know a thing about which way he's leaning. And I think he would be making a mistake not to at least explore his options and listen to teams pitches in what they are prepared to do in order to lure him to their teams. Being a top tier free agent and having control in your own hands only comes around once or twice in a players career so you better take advantage of it.

But if we are discussing what would be the Blazers best options if he did tell them he's gone then I think some of the pieces Houston has are the best for Portland, more so than Dallas or San Antonio if Texas is indeed where Aldridge wants to move to. And although I don't know what kind of cap issues arise, I'm just going with players I think could work.

While none of these guys can give Portland what Aldridge does I think players such as Jones, who is underrated in my opinion, Capella, Montiejunas, and even KJ McDaniels, all would give the Blazers much better depth and some young potential, especially combined with McCollum and Leonard, both of whom have done enough lately to change my opinion of them as far as potential.

And because none of these players have big contracts(yet), it would still allow Olshey to go after and higher end power forward or centre in free agency to try and mitigate the loss of Aldridge.

Lose Aldridge, sign a high end free agent or two for the starting position(s), and have more depth.

But make no mistake, I'm still in the camp that wants to see the entire core back, plus a better perimeter defender sixth man type like Aflalo was supposed to be for them. But I'm also realistic that being able to keep all three of Aldridge, Mathews, and Lopez might be a difficult task for Olshey.

[Jsun947]

Something we haven't talked about much is Portland's salary if Aldridge does sign a max deal...

Batum 11860750
Lillard 4236286
McCollum 2525160
Leonard 3075879
Crabbe 947276
Aldridge 18700000
Total 41345351

If AA opts out and Blake opts out, we let go of Kaman, and waive rights for everyone else we would have about 22.75 million in cap space after cap holds.

What happens if we can resign Matthews on the cheap short term to see how he rehabs and we can still go after a big time FA like Gasol or Jordan in FA. If we resign Lopez or get a guy like Chandler we would still have a lot of cap room to fill out the roster.

I think the concept there and the roster is much better than what the Texas teams can offer