LaMarcus Aldridge and the Spurs decided to part ways this past week. Aldridge, a free agent to be, has struggled this season after not playing in the bubble last year due to injury. The Spurs played smaller and better in the bubble without the 7-time All Star. He has never played well with DeMar DeRozan and this season has been no exception, in 18 games this season the duo is a -8.6 per 100 possessions. When DeRozan is on the floor with the other Spurs center, Jakob Poeltl, San Antonio is a +6.3 per 100 possessions. Aldridge is a minus on defense and also has struggled to rebound the ball averaging just 4.5 per night while his per 36 rebounding is 6.2 per night. Again not good for a guy who for his career has averaged 8.3 rebounds per game and 8.7 per 36 minutes. Let’s look at the LaMarcus Aldridge Spurs era, why I think a trade is unlikely and potential suitors for Aldridge.
On July 4th, 2015, the San Antonio Spurs won the LaMarcus Aldridge sweepstakes over teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and his former team the Portland Trail Blazers. It was a way to usher the Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili era and bring in a co-star to play with Kawhi Leonard for the future. That plan was working out well after going to the west finals in 2017 and then during the 2017-18 season when the Spurs questioned the severity of an injury Kawhi Leonard was dealing with as Leonard only played 9 games all season and requested a trade. There was a lot of drama until the team eventually traded Kawhi along with sharpshooter Danny Green to the Toronto Raptors for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a 2019 1st round pick (became Keldon Johnson). The Raptors went on to win the championship and the Spurs lost in the 1st round to the Nuggets. After missing the playoffs last year, the Spurs have been much better this season however this is with Poeltl on the court and Aldridge off. As a result, both sides decided it was time to part ways and search for a trade. There are trade options but I find a trade to be unlikely.
There is one Aldridge trade I am going to squash right now. The Boston Celtics are not going to use the Gordon Hayward trade exception on him. However, there are two teams that could acquire Aldridge via trade: the New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies. Both are simple. For Memphis they can offer Gorgui Dieng and John Konchar to the Spurs in exchange for Aldridge. The Knicks can offer Reggie Bullock and Frank Ntilikina to San Antonio. Both are straightforward, but there is one interesting wrinkle. The Cleveland Cavaliers have Andre Drummond not playing, if the Spurs want Drummond, they can try and create a 3 team trade with the Cavaliers and either the Knicks or Grizzlies, Spurs would get Drummond, Memphis or New York gets Aldridge and the Cavs can choose between Dieng and Konchar or Ntilikina and Bullock. I would take Ntilikina and Bullock because Ntilikina gives them a guard off the bench and Bullock provides scoring, and it can create a bigger trade exception. However if San Antonio does not want Drummond I think they would take the Memphis package because Dieng could be the backup center if they do not believe in Trey Lyles. However, it is unclear if the Knicks or Grizzlies are interested in a trade and I believe Aldridge will be bought out and become a free agent.
2021 LaMarcus Aldridge is not going to provide what he used to provide. In fact, I am not sure if he is going to contribute much of anything. However, I think he can give a contender a big who can come off of your bench and score the ball. A bunch of teams could use this, just can’t trade for the $24 million contract Aldridge is due. The Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, and Portland Trail Blazers are all teams that could use Aldridge. He is a guy that can play the 4 or the 5. Stretch the floor and hit 3 pointers, shooting 36% this season on 5 attempts per game. He is a guy that can help teams in a playoff series with his experience and his ability to pass as well. The Clippers are the best landing spot as they have Ivica Zubac and Serge Ibaka on their team right now but I think Aldridge is a little more reliable than Zubac and guys like Nic Batum in big spots. Phoenix has Dario Saric backing up DeAndre Ayton. So Aldridge could help them in big spots if neither of those guys are trusted. Finally the Portland Trail Blazers have Enes Kanter, Harry Giles, and Jusuf Nurkic so Aldridge is also an option for them in big spots in a playoff series. There would be a bunch of teams interested in signing Aldridge if he hits the open market via buyout.
If we are being honest, I am not sure LaMarcus Aldridge is a positive NBA player anymore and I would not be shocked if he was a DNP-CD (did not play, coach's decision) in a playoff game and an important one. He does not rebound well, he plays no defense, and he is slow on the basketball court. LaMarcus Aldridge is a player who has had a great career and is a multi-time All-Star, but his days in the NBA are running out, he needs to go to a new team and prove he can still play or his days in the league might be number sooner than we realize.
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