Lakers Free Agency Profile: LaMarcus Aldridge
Over the next few weeks, as this season mercifully comes to an end, I’ll be profiling any and all potential free agents the Los Angeles Lakers might look at this upcoming off-season in the order they are listed on HoopsHype.com.
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Next on the list is LaMarcus Aldridge, who’s joined the conversation as an all-time great Portland Trail Blazer. A departure would shock everyone, as his Blazers have managed to assemble a very good roster around Aldridge and he’s immersed himself so deeply in that community.
Let’s start with Aldridge, the player. He’s an incredibly skilled power forward with elite length. He’s almost impossible to guard one-on-one for the vast majority of defenders and has turned himself into an automatic shooter from midrange. Is he the type of guy that turns a team into a contender by himself? No. But his game will age well and the team that invests in him this year probably won’t regret it.
It’s already hard to see LMA leaving Portland. But leaving to join the Lakers is almost impossible to envision. For one, the fit isn’t quite right in terms of potential teammates. Aldridge has stated publicly he doesn’t want to play center. That type of physical punishment would not bode well for his leaner stature, and his opinion; and it’s hard to disagree.
So, if Aldridge wants to play the power forward, that leaves rookie Julius Randle pretty much out to dry. Now, I’m not saying that Randle is worth passing on Aldridge if the latter chooses to come to Los Angeles. Building a team is about assembling talent. LMA is definitely talented. It’s more that Aldridge might not consider the Lakers because of Randle’s presence, among other things.
At the end of the day, the smart money is on Aldridge returning to the Blazers, and probably for a max contract. The Lakers might call, but the conversation would be a short one.
Target Likeliness: 1/10
Expected Salary: Max Contract