Aldridge reportedly not expected to re-sign with Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers might be preparing for life after LaMarcus Aldridge.
The Blazers' four-time All-Star power forward is not expected to re-sign with the team when free agency begins July 1, ESPN reported. Teams expected to make a serious push for Aldridge are the San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks, according to the report.
"He's gone," a source close to Aldridge told ESPN. "There's a 99.9 percent chance that he's out of Portland."
Aldridge, who was born in Dallas and played for the University of Texas, could be leaning toward returning to Texas, with the Spurs appearing to be the favorite.
"He has tons of respect for coach [Gregg] Popovich," one source told ESPN. "And he thinks highly of their organization and front office."
Portland, which might have been told of Aldridge's reported intentions by the player's camp, sent swingman Nicolas Batum to the Charlotte Hornets for power forward Noah Vonleh, last year's No. 9 overall pick, and small forward Gerald Henderson. Vonleh played in only 25 games last season, partly due to missing the start of the season because of a sports hernia, and averaged 3.3 points and 3.4 rebounds.
The Blazers could also make a push for Kevin Love, who reportedly will opt out of the final year of his deal with the Cavaliers and become a free agent. Love went to high school in Oregon and might want to return to the West Coast, either with the Lakers, who will have cap space, or the Blazers, should they lose Aldridge. If the Cavs feel they will lose Love, they could trade Love to the Blazers for Aldridge in a sign-and-trade deal but that most likely would hinge on Aldridge's desire to sign long-term with Cleveland.
Aldridge has averaged at least 20 points per game each of the past five seasons and has averaged a double-double in each of the past two seasons.
